Kogiflame
An articulated truck carrying building materials on Monday morning crushed four schoolchildren and injured several others in Egbolo, Igalamela-Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi State
According to an eye witnessed account, the pupils were reportedly on their way from Egbolo to Ofuloko when the truck lost control while struggling to climb a hill on the Idah route.
The accident occurred at about 8:30 a.m. rammed over the school children while villagers in an frantic effort pull the bodies of the victims from under the truck.
Residents who barricaded the road expressed anger and frustration, lamenting that the community lacks a functional school forcing their children to trek long distances through dangerous routes just to attend classes in neighbouring villages.
A grieving parent, who lost his son, accused the government of neglecting Egbolo for years and called for urgent action to stop further incidents.
Also, a youth leader of the community, Usman Idrisu, said the accident occurred around 8 a.m., when a truck carrying building materials ferried some of the pupils to drop them at Ofuloko primary school.
He said the truck was involved in an accident leading to the death of four children, with many sustaining various degrees of injuries.
“The truck could not climb the hill after it crossed the bridge and rolled backward before plunging into the river.
“We are seriously grieved in the Egbolo community for the death of four of our children who died in the cause of seeking education,” he lamented.
Idrisu said the community, despite its population, does not have a primary school, lamenting that their children have to trek a long distance to Ofuloko community to enable them get access to basic education.
He appealed to Governor Ahmed Ododo to consider the population of the community and establish a primary school in the community.
Some of the injured children have been rushed to a nearby hospital, while the bodies of the deceased have been taken home by the community for burial.
