An heavy duty truck has reportedly killed many secondary students and injured several others in Lagos, after the driver lost control around Ojodu-Berger area of the metropolis on Tuesday afternoon.
The victims, who are mostly pupils of Ojodu Grammar School, were heading home after school hours when the truck ram into them.
According to PeoplesGazette, medical officials say at least two students were confirmed killed; while students said at least 20 of their colleagues were killed in the accident.
MDB could not independently verify fatalities as of the time of filing this report on Tuesday afternoon.
Witnesses said the midsize haulage vehicle suffered a brake failure while trying to evade obtrusive Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) towards Ogba from Ojodu-Berger Bus Stop.
Moments after the tragedy, other students at the scene of the incident reacted in anger, setting the truck ablaze immediately, grounding business activities around the area.
Other vehicles around the scene were also vandalised by the angry mob, displaying rage over the death of their friends.
Though policemen are at the scene of the incident to restore order, the protesting students have continued to express rage by destroying valuable items within sight.
Large smoke could be seen billowing into the sky from the scene of the tragedy while traffic has built up along the axis.
Commuters are being forced to use alternative roads around the area as a result of the ongoing protest by the students.
Shops have shut down and the entire area is deserted while police used teargas to disperse protesting students and hoodlums in the area.
Emergency services have reportedly arrived at the scene, although authorities have yet to issue a statement as to the cause of the fatal crash.
The unidentified driver was later caught and handed over to the police by the students. The police have dispersed the crowd at the scene.
Meanwhile, emergency services spokesman, Nosa Okunbor told the publication that a press statement will be issued shortly.
On his part, Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Lagos Police Command, Adekunle Ajesebutu said more policemen had been deployed to the area.
He stated;
We are on top of the situation. Adequate policemen are on ground to maintain law and order. The situation is being professionally handled.
See some photos and videos from the scene of the incident below;
Sad! This afternoon, a truck accidentally killed some students in the Ojodu area of Lagos.
In response to the accident, some other students of the school went on a protest, and this is how men of the Nigerian Police Force responded to the protest. pic.twitter.com/9GZJmzc9Sh
— GoldMyne (@GoldmyneTV) December 7, 2021
See this nonsense Nigerian Police are doing pic.twitter.com/4uvYafMw8o
— Dodo_Ikire (@OlonaOfLagos) December 7, 2021
A trailer has run over students returning home from school, k*lling an unspecified number of them in Ojodu, Lagospic.twitter.com/2zxFSmWwU5
— Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) December 7, 2021
