By Stephanie Ikanone Odiete
It was tragedy for the Eta family on Thursday January 13th, 2022 as one of the sons, Hon Jimmy Eta lost his wife to a reckless driver at about 6pm.
An eye witness, Mr Alaska Kadiri who narrated how the accident happened, told Sapele Mirror Newspaper that he was standing outside with the deceased, Mrs Toju Jimmy Eta when the car veered off the road, and hit the deceased and four others.
Mr Blessing Etor another eye witness who spoke in the same vein said that he was standing outside with the late Mrs Toju Eta and her son, Master Akpos Eta, and three others, Miss Birha Etchie, sister to the late Mrs Toju Eta, Mr Isreal Aigbigbel and Mrs Josephine Okorodudu when he received a phone call from a friend, and he immediately crossed to the other side of the road to receive the call. He said the next thing he saw was the deceased lying on the ground, with others badly injured. Narrating further, he said, neighbors quickly rushed to the scene of the accident, and rushed Mrs Toju Eta to the hospital where the doctor on ground pronounced her dead.
The other victims were rushed to Lana hospital where they are currently receiving treatment, he added.
Hon Jimmy Eta who could not stop weeping profusely told Sapele Mirror Newspaper that his wife meant everything to him. In his words, “my wife was my strength, my pillar of support, my everything. She takes stock of everything in the house, she is truthful, transparent and supports my dreams. She looks after my children, my aged mother, and my family very well, I have lost everything that I have”, he lamented as he broke into tears again.
Party faithful were seen trooping to the Eta family’s compound to pay condolence visit to the deceased’s husband Hon Jimmy Eta, Supervisor Councilor for Special Duties, while others visited Mrs Josephine Okorodudu, Woman leader of Ward one at Lana hospital who suffered severe burns on her lap and chest from the exhaust of the car. Also one of the victims, Miss Birha Etchie fractured her waist and Master Akpos Eta suffered a fractured hand.
Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have continued to pay condolences to the family, from the Delta State Party Chairman, Chief Barr Kingsley Esiso, Chief Eugene Inoaghan, Chief Felix Anirah, to Hon Austine Ayemidejor.
Others are Lady Joyce Jemirheri, Hon Richard Ogirisen, Hon Lucky Ajamikoko, Hon Frank Nujimen and others too numerous to mention, were also on ground to condole the family.
Twenty seven years old driver Mr Isreal Omanagho is currently in police detention.