Four pupils from Egbolo community in Igalamela-Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi State lost their lives on Monday after a truck taking them to school in Ofuloko veered off the road and plunged into a river.
The accident occurred at about 8:30 a.m., leaving several other children injured. Residents raced to the scene, pulling victims from beneath the overturned vehicle amid wails and confusion.
Shocked villagers later barricaded the road to express their frustration, blaming the tragedy on the absence of a functional school in Egbolo.
They said children are compelled to trek long distances through risky terrain every day just to attend school in neighbouring communities.
A grieving parent, who lost his son, accused the government of neglecting Egbolo for years and called for urgent action to stop further incidents.
Youth leader Usman Idrisu explained that the pupils were aboard a truck that was also transporting building materials to Ofuloko Primary School.
He said the vehicle failed to scale a hill after crossing a bridge, rolled backward, and crashed into the river, causing the deaths and multiple 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 noted that Egbolo, despite its sizeable population, has no primary school. He added that children walk long distances daily to access basic education in Ofuloko and urged Governor Ahmed Ododo to establish a school in the community to avert similar tragedies.