A passenger in a commercial tricycle lost their life on Monday morning during a collision with a truck on Melford Okilo Road in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. The accident, which took place near Okaka Primary School around 8:30 a.m., triggered tensions between local residents and security forces as details regarding the event remain disputed.
An anonymous Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) member reported that their team witnessed a speeding Dangote truck strike a tricycle, causing the passenger to fall and subsequently suffer fatal injuries. Conversely, bystanders claimed the tragedy unfolded after FRSC officers stopped the tricycle rider for a traffic violation. These witnesses alleged that the ensuing confrontation led to the tricycle being struck by a cement-laden truck.
Following the crash, the driver of the truck abandoned the vehicle and escaped the scene. Tensions rose as a group of tricycle operators attempted to target the FRSC tow truck crew, prompting the officials to retreat to the local police headquarters. Police and military personnel were eventually mobilized to restore order and locate the missing truck driver. Bayelsa State Police spokesperson, DSP Musa Mohammed, confirmed that an official investigation is now underway to determine the exact cause of the incident.
