Residents of Enerhen community in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State have been thrown into mourning following the tragic death of a six-year-old schoolgirl who was reportedly crushed by a construction tipper truck while returning home from school.
According to The Nation, the young girl, identified as Oghenekome Edeburu, was said to have been full of life and widely admired for her cheerful personality and intelligence despite her tender age. Fondly called “Kome” by family members and neighbours, she was the youngest of three children and was described as a child who easily won the affection of those around her both at home and at school.
Her life was cut short on Monday when she was reportedly struck by a construction truck belonging to a major construction company working in the area. The accident occurred shortly after school hours while she and her elder sister were making their way home.
According to accounts from the community, Kome had attended classes earlier that day at Andrew Millers Nursery and Primary School located along MCC Road in Enerhen. As usual, she had been accompanied to school by her 10-year-old sister, Glory.
After lessons ended, the two girls began the familiar walk back to their mother’s shop. However, tragedy struck along the way. Witness accounts indicated that an object fell from Kome’s hand as they were walking. When she bent down to retrieve it, she reportedly did not notice the approaching truck. Within moments, the vehicle struck and ran over her, killing her instantly.
Efforts to gather more detailed information about the circumstances surrounding the accident proved difficult, as several traders around the area said they were not present at the exact moment the incident occurred.
The construction company whose truck was involved has been undertaking extensive road works in the area as part of the Enerhen Junction flyover project. The development project is intended to improve infrastructure in the locality, including linking drainage channels to the nearby Warri River.
At the family residence, grief was evident as relatives, neighbours, and sympathisers gathered to console the bereaved parents. The child’s mother, Joy Edeburu, a nurse, appeared deeply devastated and was mostly silent as visitors offered condolences and shared memories of the young girl.
One family acquaintance, identified simply as Tega, said that the family had not initially received any communication from the construction company following the accident. Another sympathiser expressed disappointment that work at the construction site reportedly resumed shortly after the tragedy.
Members of the community said earlier claims by some local leaders suggested that the company had already settled the matter with the family, which led to calls for people not to disrupt the construction activities. However, the lack of clarity around the situation reportedly angered residents and friends of the family.
The outrage eventually triggered a protest by some community members and sympathisers, a demonstration that gained widespread attention on social media. Following the public outcry, representatives of the company reportedly agreed to hold discussions with the grieving family.
Residents also said the driver of the truck involved in the accident had been taken into custody by authorities. One mourner claimed the driver was visibly shaken after realising what had happened and did not attempt to flee the scene.
Meanwhile, the tragedy has also left emotional scars on the victim’s elder sister, who witnessed the incident. According to those close to the family, the 10-year-old girl has been deeply traumatised and continues to blame herself for not preventing the accident.
Family friends said she has been struggling emotionally since the incident and has experienced sleep disturbances. As a result, she has temporarily been moved to stay with an aunt away from the family home in an effort to help her recover from the shock.
In response to the heartbreaking loss, the management of the school the young girl attended suspended academic activities for the entire week as a mark of respect for their late pupil.
For many who knew her, Oghenekome—whose name means “God has given me”—will be remembered as a bright and joyful child whose life ended far too soon.See_More…