Truck Conveying Schoolchildren to Another Community Plunges Into River; Four Dead, Many Injured

A truck carrying schoolchildren to a neighbouring village plunged into a river on Monday morning in Egbolo, Igalamela-Odolu area of Kogi State, leaving four pupils dead and several others injured. The crash, which happened around 8:30 a.m., triggered grief and anger throughout the community, where residents blocked the Idah road to protest what they described as longstanding government neglect.

Children from Egbolo travel daily to Ofuloko for school because their village has no functional educational facilities. According to community members, the truck involved in the accident was transporting building materials but had agreed to give some of the pupils a lift as they made the long trek.

Witnesses said the vehicle developed mechanical problems shortly after crossing a bridge. Community youth leader Usman Idrisu explained that the truck failed to climb a hill, rolled backwards, and plunged into the river. Villagers immediately began rescue efforts, pulling survivors from the water and rushing the injured to a nearby hospital, but four children were already dead by the time help arrived. Locals said the Federal Road Safety Corps had not reached the scene during the crucial early moments of the rescue.

The tragedy has intensified concerns over infrastructure shortages in rural Kogi communities. Residents blame the deaths on the absence of a primary or secondary school in Egbolo despite its sizeable population. A grieving parent who lost a child said the accident would never have happened if pupils did not have to travel outside the village for basic education.

Community leaders have appealed to Governor Ahmed Ododo to urgently establish a school in Egbolo to prevent further tragedies. As of press time, the state government had not released an official response.