From PAUL OSUYI, Asaba

FIVE persons have been confirmed dead while 23 others sustained injuries in an accident involving a luxury bus and a Mercedes Benz 911 along the Anwai-Illah road, near Asaba, the Delta State capital at about 4am.

The remains of the dead victims were deposited at the mortuary of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba while the injured were taken to two hospitals including St. Joseph Catholic Hospital and St. Rebecca Hospital also in Asaba.

35 persons were involved in the head-on collision between the two vehicles but seven of them came out unhurt, according to the Director of Operations, Delta State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mrs. Uche Chukwurah.

She said the luxury bus belonging to a renowned private transport company, Young Shall Grow was coming from Port Harcourt enroute Abuja when the accident occurred.

Mrs. Chukwurah attributed the accident to speed violation, adding that both motorists were traveling at very odd hours, and urged other motorists to always adhere to traffic rules and avoid night travels as much as possible.

Meanwhile, 21 officers of the state command of the FRSC who were recently promoted have been decorated with their new rank at a brief ceremony in Asaba where the Sector Commander, Rindom Kumven urged them to remain dedicated to the service of the nation.

Two of the officers were decorated with the rank of Deputy Corps Commander just as another two others were decorated with the rank of Assistant Corps Commander.

Also, one officer was decorated with the rank of Route Commander while the other 16 were decorated with the rank of Deputy Route Commander.