Egbolo community in Igalamela-Odolu LGA, Kogi State, is mourning after a truck transporting children to school lost control and plunged into a river, killing four pupils and injuring several others on Monday morning.

• Time of accident: Around 8:30 a.m.
• Circumstances: The truck, which also carried building materials, struggled to climb a hill after crossing a bridge, rolled backward, and fell into the river. Residents helped pull children from under the vehicle.
• Community reaction: Residents blocked roads in protest, citing the absence of a primary school in Egbolo as a major cause of the tragedy. Children are forced to travel long distances along unsafe routes to attend classes in neighboring villages.

Community leaders’ appeals:

• Usman Idrisu, a local youth leader, called on Governor Ahmed Ododo to establish a primary school in Egbolo to prevent further loss of lives.
• Parents lamented government neglect of the community, emphasizing that the accident occurred in pursuit of education, making the loss especially painful.

The tragedy highlights the urgent need for improved educational infrastructure and safe transport access in rural areas of Kogi State.