Disaster struck Tuesday when a water tanker fell from a vehicle and crushed five pupils of St. Michaels Schools, Oshiri in Oshiri, Onicha local government area of Ebonyi State.
The pupils from Amaokpara village died when the tanker allegedly belonging to C- Sagas project Nigeria limited fell off the vehicle and landed on them at Onu Nworie Egu Oshiri.
This was as the driver and conductor of the vehicle were lynched by the angry mob for the accident.
The victims said to be returning from school were six-year-old Davis Nworie, seven-year-old Prosper Ogudu, six-year-old Tochukwu Nwankwo, seven-year Ada Igwe and three-year-old Peace Ifeanyichukwu.
Unconfirmed source claimed that the driver of the water tanker after the reckless driving sped off the scene, an action that angered the youths of the area who went after him, lynched both the driver and the conductor at Onicha Igbeze, nearby community to Oshiri.
When our reporter contacted DSP Loveth Odah, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ebonyi Command, she confirmed the accident, saying the children were confirmed dead by a doctor in the hospital.
She said the corpses of the driver and the conductor were recovered and deposited at Onicha General Hospital but no member of the affected family have come to the station since the tragedy occurred.
“Yesterday through a distress call the DPO of Onicha LGA was contacted that an accident happened killing five school children and angry youths attacked the driver and killed him.
“The driver- Ewa Innocent was from Ameka Ikwo while the conductor- Ojim Danis of Agharazo, Iyiemgu Izzi are all lying in the mortuary.”
She urged motorists to drive with care and observe all road signs and regulations while on the highway.
“Drivers should drive with caution. It is better to be late than to be permanently addressed as late. It is not just that they killed the children it is true that accident is an unexpected occurrence but even as we are not expecting it we should trade with caution because any recklessness can cause accident.
“The CP mourns and commiserates with the family of the deceased. I want to warm road users to drive with carefulness because this is Ember month. We have lost a lot this year.”
