Four schoolchildren and a tricycle rider have reportedly died in a tanker accident at Ibelebiri Community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The children, said to be siblings, were returning from school in Otuasega Community to their home in Ibelebiri yesterday when a tanker belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) reportedly lost control and rammed into the tricycle conveying them, reports Daily Trust.
Residents told our correspondent that the deceased rider was a relative of the children and regularly transported them to and from school.
A commercial tricycle operator on the route, Mr. Godstime Ike, said the accident occurred after the rider had parked near the children’s residence and one of the children had crossed the road to enter their home.
“It was at that moment that the tanker rammed into the tricycle, crushing those inside,” Ike said.
The child who had crossed the road survived the crash.
According to Ike, the tanker driver fled the scene before residents arrived.
However, his assistant was reportedly apprehended by military personnel and later handed over to the police for further investigation.
The incident has left the community in deep shock and mourning.
The Bayelsa State Police Command confirmed the accident. The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Musa Muhammad, said the driver has been arrested and that investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the crash.
