The University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) has announced the deaths of three students and a staff member in a tragic road accident on Friday.

A statement on Saturday by the university’s spokesperson, Ebri Onen, said a total of twenty-four (24) students and one (1) staff member were involved in the accident.

Mr Onen noted that the victims were returning from an official assignment in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, when the accident occurred in the Odukpani Local Government Area of the state.

“The management, staff, students and the entire University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) community have received with profound sadness the news of a tragic road accident involving twenty-four (24) students and one (1) staff member of the university. Regrettably, the accident claimed the lives of three students and one staff member,” Mr Onen stated.

The spokesperson said, “Solomon Uya, Director of Sports of the Students’ Union Government; Lucky Erim, Department of Chemistry and President of the Faculty of Physical Sciences Students’ Association; Favour Darlington of the Department of Educational Management; and Anthony Arikpo, the driver of the vehicle and a staff member of the University lost their lives in the incident.”

He added that the survivors were currently receiving medical care at various hospitals.

The spokesman said the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Francisca Bassey and the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Stella Maris-Okey, visited the survivors on Friday to ensure that necessary medical care were provided.

“The entire UNICROSS community mourns with the respective bereaved families and prays for the peaceful repose of the souls of the departed and for the swift and complete recovery of those receiving treatment,” the statement said.

Commenting on the incident, the police command in Cross River State said the accident occurred at 9:25 pm at Ikot Okon, along the Calabar–Itu Highway.

The command said the accident involved two vehicles, resulting in a collission of a container truck and a coaster bus conveying passengers.

According to a statement on Saturday by the command’s spokesperson, Sunday Akata, the incident resulted in the immediate death of one of the passengers.

Mr Akata said, “The Cross River State Police Command confirms a fatal motor accident that occurred on 1st May, 2026, at about 2125hrs at Ikot Okon, along the Calabar-Itu Highway, involving a container truck and a coaster bus conveying passengers.

“Preliminary reports indicate that the coaster bus was reportedly conveying passengers believed to be students of Cross River State University when it was involved in a collision with the container truck.

“The unfortunate incident resulted in the death of one occupant at the scene, while another victim, who sustained critical injuries, was later confirmed dead in the early hours of today.”

The police spokesperson said police operatives promptly mobilised to the scene and coordinated the evacuation of injured victims to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) for medical attention, while the bodies of the deceased were taken to the hospital morgue. 

“The driver of the container truck was not found at the scene upon the arrival of first responders, and efforts are ongoing to identify and locate him as investigations continue to determine the cause and circumstances surrounding the crash,” he stated.