Youths protest killing of 5 by trailer

Sylvester Idowu, Warri - 31.12.2007

THE relative peace being enjoyed in Effurun in Uwie Local Government Area of Delta State was on Sunday disrupted by angry youths who were protesting the killing of five persons by a careless trailer driver at about 7.30 a.m. at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) junction.

Nigerian Tribune learnt that the victims were crushed by the trailer driver who was said to be running away from some policemen who were trying to extort money from him.

One of the containers being carried by the trailer with registration number Lagos XZ 160 KJA was said to have fallen off and crushed the victims who were said to be on their way home for the New Year festival.

The victims were trapped in their vehicle for several hours before help could come their way. Nigerian Tribune observed that one of the victims, identified as a worker of a construction firm, had his leg chopped off while his remains laid by the road side.

Following this development, angry youths took over the East-West Highway popularly known as Warri-Port-Harcourt road protesting the incident allegedly caused by the policemen who retreated following the magnitude of their action.

Motorists, especially those travelling for the New Year, were trapped in the protest by the youth with some of them losing their valuables to hoodlums who barricaded the road.