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Driving Lesson Turns Deadly: How a Learner Driver Crushed Three Siblings to Death in Rivers

Published

5 months ago

May 21, 2026

Commissioner of Police in Rivers, CP Olugbenga Adepoju

Driving Lesson Turns Deadly: How a Learner Driver Crushed Three Siblings to Death in Rivers

PORT HARCOURT — A woman, Amarachi Promise Esomonu, has demanded justice after losing her three children in a tragic accident in the Ogbunabali area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, describing the horror of having to collect her son’s remains from the ground with her bare hands.

It was gathered that a yet-to-be-identified man was allegedly teaching his girlfriend how to drive when the woman, who was behind the wheel, rammed into the family’s residence, killing the three children, all of whom were toddlers. The fatal crash occurred around 8:30 p.m. on May 15, 2026, when a car reportedly veered off the road along the Eastern Bypass and crashed into the family’s residential compound, where the children were gathered outside. The impact killed three siblings aged 10, 4, and 3 years instantly.

A resident of the area, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the scene to Daily Trust. “They were at home in Ogbunabali when this happened. A young man was teaching his girlfriend how to drive. So, as she was driving, people started shouting. Before we knew it, the car had rammed into the woman’s house. That was how her three children lost their lives. It is very painful, and the mother has been crying because the children were all going to school.” Another eyewitness who identified himself as Obua told The Eagle Online that the car lost control, rammed into the woman’s house, and killed the three children on the spot.

Speaking to journalists amid tears and grief, Mrs Esomonu revealed the full horror of the aftermath. She said she had briefly stepped out to answer a phone call moments before the tragedy occurred. When she returned, she was met with an unimaginable scene. In a viral video that has since circulated widely on social media, drawing an outpouring of public anger and calls for justice, the distraught mother described the horror of having to gather her children’s bodies herself. “This is where I lost my three kids. I had to pick my son’s intestine out from this place, and they are not saying anything about it,” she said, gesturing at the scene of the crash.

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In an emotional appeal, Mrs Esomonu tearfully called on Nigerians and human rights activists to intervene and ensure justice for her late children. “This is the cry of a mother who lost her three kids all because of careless driving, and they are not saying anything about it. I lost my three kids, 10, 4, and 3 years old, and they are not saying anything about it. They are trying to sweep it under the carpet,” she said in the viral video. “My children will not just go like that. I lost my three kids all because of a careless person. They should not let them go scot-free. The lives of my kids should not just go like that. VeryDarkMan should please fight for me, all Nigerians should fight for me,” she pleaded.

The grieving mother further lamented that those responsible for the tragedy had shown little concern, saying she thinks about her children every day. She revealed that the alarm she usually sets to prepare her children for school still rings every weekday morning, but the children are no longer there. “Every day I wake up in the morning and remember them. Every day, my alarm rings, but there are no children for me to prepare for school again. Their killers are comfortable. They are not saying anything,” she said amid tears.

Mrs Esomonu further alleged that immediately after the crash, the female driver and her boyfriend attempted to flee the scene but were stopped by residents and members of the community who gathered following the loud impact. According to her, the intervention of residents prevented the suspects from escaping before security operatives later arrived at the scene. The grieving mother also accused medical personnel at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and other health facilities of negligence, alleging that the injured victims – including her domestic staff and another daughter who sustained serious injuries – were denied prompt emergency medical attention after they were rushed to the hospital for treatment. She claimed that delays in medical response worsened the condition of the injured survivors, adding that the family had to struggle to secure urgent care during the critical moments following the crash.

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Confirming the incident, the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Kogo Agabe (also referred to as ASP Blessing Agabe in some reports – she recently took over as PPRO in April 2026), said the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, had ordered a thorough investigation into the matter. While commiserating with the bereaved family, Agabe said the tragic incident had generated widespread grief and concern across the state. She stated that the CP extended his condolences to the family and assured them that justice would be served.

“The Rivers State Police Command is deeply saddened by the tragic incident, which reportedly claimed the lives of three children from the same family. The unfortunate development has generated widespread grief and concern within the state,” the statement read. “The Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, extends his heartfelt condolences and profound sympathy to the bereaved family during this difficult and painful period. He prays that God grants the family the strength and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”

The statement further assured that the command had commenced a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. “The Commissioner of Police wishes to assure the affected family and the general public that the command has commenced a thorough investigation into the incident. He further reassures all concerned that every necessary step will be taken to ensure that justice is not only served but also manifestly seen to be served in accordance with the law. The command remains committed to uncovering the circumstances surrounding the incident and ensuring that anyone found culpable is brought to justice,” the statement read.

Agabe urged members of the public to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information, and cooperate with investigators as inquiries continue. “The Rivers State Police Command once again sympathises with the bereaved family and reiterates its unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and the pursuit of justice,” the statement added.

Residents of the Ogbunabali community who witnessed the aftermath of the incident described the scene as horrific, saying the crash caused panic and confusion in the neighbourhood. Some residents blamed excessive speeding and reckless driving along the busy Eastern Bypass corridor, calling on authorities to strengthen traffic enforcement and road safety measures in the area to prevent future tragedies. The incident has also reignited broader conversations about road safety, accountability, and the treatment of victims in the wake of traffic accidents across Nigeria.

Driving Lesson Turns Deadly: How a Learner Driver Crushed Three Siblings to Death in Rivers

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MURIC Accuses OAU International School of Restricting Hijab-Wearing Students

Published

2 hours ago

October 5, 2026

Trends Admin

MURIC Accuses OAU International School of Restricting Hijab-Wearing Students

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused the management of the International School, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, of restricting hijab-wearing Muslim students from accessing the school premises.

MURIC alleged that female Muslim students were locked out of the school for several days after authorities reportedly insisted that they remove their hijabs before being allowed into the compound.

The organisation condemned the alleged action and called for the immediate lifting of what it described as a restriction on the use of hijab by Muslim students.

In a statement issued on Monday, October 5, 2026, MURIC Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, said the affected students eventually returned to school without their hijabs after they were allegedly informed that the matter would not be considered until the next meeting of the university council in December.

Akintola described the development as discriminatory and argued that it raised concerns about religious freedom, girl-child education and the rights of Muslim students.

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He cited Section 38 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and argued that school regulations should not be applied in a manner that violates constitutionally protected religious rights.

“The argument that the use of hijab violates the school’s rules does not hold any water,” Akintola said, maintaining that Muslim students should be allowed to observe their faith while pursuing their education.

MURIC also questioned the reported circumstances surrounding the restriction and urged OAU and the International School authorities to clarify the policy governing religious attire at the institution.

The organisation further expressed concern about the effect of the dispute on the affected students, who it described as underage girls, and their parents.

According to MURIC, preventing students from attending school over their religious attire could undermine efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria.

The group also rejected what it said could be the argument that the school’s internal rules supersede constitutional protections, insisting that institutional regulations must conform to the country’s laws.

MURIC called on the OAU authorities to address the dispute through dialogue and respect for religious diversity, warning that continued disagreement over the issue could create tension between the university community and residents of Ile-Ife.

The organisation alleged that the action could amount to discrimination against Muslim students, but those allegations have not been independently established.

MURIC therefore demanded that any restriction on hijab-wearing students at OAU International School be lifted immediately and that the affected students be allowed to attend classes without being required to abandon their religious attire.

The group said resolving the matter in a manner that protects the students’ rights would help preserve peaceful coexistence and OAU’s reputation as a major Nigerian educational institution.

MURIC Accuses OAU International School of Restricting Hijab-Wearing Students

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Ex-APC Women Leader Found Dead With Throat Slit in Bauchi

Published

4 hours ago

October 5, 2026

Trends Admin

Ex-APC Women Leader Found Dead With Throat Slit in Bauchi

A former APC Women Leader in Bauchi South, Jemimah Dutse, has been found dead inside her residence in Bauchi State, with her throat allegedly slit by unidentified assailants.

Dutse was discovered in a pool of blood at her residence in Muazu New Layout, Yelwa, Bauchi, on Saturday, October 3, 2026.

The Bauchi State Police Command said the incident was reported at about 2:07pm by a 49-year-old man, following which detectives visited the residence and documented the scene.

Her body was subsequently evacuated to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, for medical examination and autopsy.

The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, directed that the case be transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a discreet and thorough investigation.

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The police said the investigation is focused on establishing the circumstances surrounding Dutse’s death and identifying the person or persons responsible.

The motive for the killing remains unknown, and authorities have not established any link between the death and Dutse’s previous political activities.

The command has appealed for calm and expressed condolences to Dutse’s family, friends and political associates, while assuring them that efforts are underway to unravel the circumstances surrounding her death.

The incident has also generated concern among residents and groups in Bauchi, with calls for a comprehensive investigation and improved security in the area.

The Take-It-Back Movement, Bauchi chapter, condemned the killing and called on security agencies to intensify efforts to identify and arrest those responsible.

The group also urged the authorities to conduct a high-powered investigation into the incident and strengthen security measures across Bauchi metropolis and surrounding communities.

Police said further developments would be communicated as the investigation progresses.

Ex-APC Women Leader Found Dead With Throat Slit in Bauchi

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Kidnappers torture abducted corps members, slash ransom to N100m

Published

5 hours ago

October 5, 2026

Trends Admin

Kidnappers torture abducted corps members, slash ransom to N100m

Relatives of 20 abducted corps members have raised fresh concerns over the safety of the victims, alleging that kidnappers have subjected them to physical torture while reducing their ransom demand to N100 million.

The prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members were reportedly travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states when gunmen attacked two buses along the Owerri–Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, on October 1.

The abductors initially reportedly demanded N50 million from each victim, putting the total ransom at N1 billion.

However, relatives said the kidnappers have now reduced the demand to N5 million per victim, bringing the total to N100 million.

The families also alleged that the abducted corps members were being beaten in captivity, including female victims, raising fears over their physical condition as the rescue operation continues.

A relative of one of the victims, Alimot Akande, said the situation had become increasingly frightening, appealing to the authorities to intensify efforts to secure the victims’ safe release.

According to the relatives, the abductors have maintained contact with some families through the phones of the captives and have used the communication to demand ransom.

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The families had earlier appealed to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, for intervention after the kidnappers reportedly demanded the initial N1 billion ransom.

Meanwhile, security agencies have intensified efforts to locate the kidnappers’ hideout and rescue the victims.

The Imo State Police Command said its operatives had traced the suspected kidnappers to a location in the bush. However, the operation has reportedly been complicated by intelligence that the area may have been planted with improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

The police said drone surveillance was used to identify the suspected location of the captives, with plans underway to deploy additional operational equipment to safely access the area.

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has also deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Umar Nadada, to Imo State to coordinate the rescue operation.

Nadada subsequently reviewed the security deployment and directed additional tactical resources towards efforts to rescue the abducted corps members.

Police authorities have assured the families that efforts are ongoing to locate the victims and bring them home safely.

There have also been varying reports over the exact number of people abducted and those already rescued. The police initially reported that some victims had been rescued after the attack, while relatives continued to maintain that 20 prospective corps members remained affected by the abduction.

The two buses involved in the incident have reportedly been recovered as security agencies continue operations around the area.

The Oyo State Government has also joined efforts to secure the release of the victims, maintaining contact with the Imo State Government and security agencies.

The incident has renewed concerns about the safety of prospective corps members travelling to NYSC orientation camps, particularly along major highways where kidnapping remains a persistent security challenge.

For the affected families, the immediate priority remains the safe return of their loved ones as security agencies work to overcome the reported explosives threat and reach the suspected kidnappers’ hideout.