Olu Samuel

At least four primary school pupils lost their lives on Monday in Igalaland, Kogi east when a truck conveying them from Egbolo community to nearby school Ofuloko community school fell into a river .

Several others were said to have suffered varying degrees of injuries in the accident said to have happened around 8.30 when the pupils were on their way to school.

It was gathered that the incident led to blockage of the road by residents in protest again non availability of functioning school in their community which forced pupils from traveling to nearby school before they can access primary school.

A grieving parent, who lost his son, accused the government of neglecting Egbolo for years and called for urgent action to stop further incidents.

Usman Idrisu, a youth leader of the community, 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.

However, he said, the truck was involved in an accident leading to the death of four children, with many sustaining various degree 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 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.

As at the time of filling this report, neither the state government nor the police has issued any statement on the development as efforts to get across to the state police command was not successful

Repeated calls to the police public relations officer, CSP William Aya were not answered.