Four pupils from the Egbolo community in the Igalamela-Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi State were tragically killed on Monday morning after a truck transporting them to a nearby school lost control and plunged into a river.
Several other children sustained injuries in the devastating accident. The incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. Residents rushed to the scene to pull the children from beneath the submerged vehicle amid cries of distress. In the wake of the tragedy, grieving residents swiftly blocked the road in protest.
They attributed the disaster to the long, perilous journey their children are forced to undertake daily to attend classes in neighboring villages, asserting that their own community lacks a functioning school.
A heartbroken parent, who lost his son, leveled accusations of long-term neglect against the government and demanded immediate intervention to prevent similar incidents.
Usman Idrisu, a youth leader for the community, confirmed the details, stating the accident occurred around 8:00 a.m.
The truck, which was transporting building materials, was ferrying some pupils to drop them off at Ofuloko Primary School when the crash happened.
Four children died, and many others sustained various injuries.
Idrisu described the mechanism of the accident:
“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 Egbolo community for the death of four of our children who died in the cause of seeking education.”
He further lamented that despite its significant population, Egbolo community lacks a primary school, forcing children to trek a considerable distance to Ofuloko for basic education.
The youth leader issued an urgent appeal to Governor Ahmed Ododo to acknowledge the community’s population and approve the establishment of a primary school in Egbolo.
