By Onome Oghenetega & Eseoghene Emuke
There was pandemonium at PTI Junction in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State as security operatives reportedly chasing suspected internet fraudsters otherwise known as “Yahoo boys” accidentally crushed a tricycle carrying a mother and her daughter to death.
It was gathered that the operatives and the suspected yahoo boys which the security team were chasing were driving against traffic when they reportedly hit tricycle conveying the victims.
Some eyewitnesses claimed that the security men were policemen while others alleged that it was personnel of the newly formed Operation Delta Hawk (OPDH) who were chasing after the suspected fraudsters.
But NIGER DELTA TODAY Online could not independently confirmed the security outfit the operatives belonged.
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The woman and her daughter were confirmed death on the spot.
The driver of the tricycle had his two legs allegedly broken while another occupant, a woman, was also injured.
The incident occurred at about 1:30pm on Wednesday causing serious gridlock along the Effurun Roundabout, PTI Junction and DSC Roundabout axis of the East-West Road in Uvwie Local Government Area of the state.
It was gathered that the operatives had reportedly stopped a Toyota Camry which was allegedly carrying the suspected Yahoo Boys but refused to stop for a check.
The operatives decided to chase the suspected Yahoo Boys and, in the process, hitting the Keke carrying the deceased and the injured passengers.
Subsequently, a sand-laden truck which was also avoiding the speedy operatives rammed into the Keke carrying the victims.
Eyewitnesses told our correspondents that the operatives immediately fled the scene of the incident as mob were building up.
It took the intervention of soldiers and men of the Ebrumede Police Division to calm the situation as mob later set ablaze a police van belonging to Ebrumede police.
“The woman appeared to be feeding her daughter when the security van hit the Keke before a tipper carrying sand and also giving way for the personnel chasing the suspected yahoo boys further crushed the victims.
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“The woman and the child died instantly. The driver broke his two legs and another woman was also injured. The Keke was carrying food stuff belonging to the deceased woman”, one of the eyewitnesses narrated to our correspondent.
Also speaking a keke driver who claimed to have also witnessed the incident said “It was the security van that hit the Keke that was carrying the victims but things became worse when a tipper that was avoiding the operatives further crushed the occupants.”
When contacted, the spokesperson of the Delta State Police Command, DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, said the command was still investigating the incident but confirmed the death of the woman and her daughter in the incident.
“We are aware that a woman and young child died but we are investigating the incident to known what really happened”, Onovwakpoyeya said.
