By Odeh Favour Adiya
Residents of Ogbunabali in Port Harcourt have been thrown into mourning following the tragic death of three young siblings who were crushed by a vehicle allegedly driven by a learner.
The devastated mother of the children, Mrs. Amarachi Promise Esomonu, has appealed to the public and relevant authorities for justice, alleging attempts to suppress the case and shield those responsible from prosecution.
According to eyewitness accounts, the tragic incident occurred on Friday night, May 15, 2026, at about 8:00 p.m., when a man was reportedly teaching his girlfriend how to drive along the street.
“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,” a source said.
Eyewitnesses said the female learner driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a shop where the three children — aged 10, 4, and 3 — were staying, killing them instantly.
In the aftermath of the crash, the boyfriend reportedly jumped out of the passenger seat and moved into the driver’s seat in an alleged attempt to flee the scene with the vehicle. However, the grieving mother reportedly held him back and raised an alarm, attracting residents who later apprehended the suspect.
Speaking through tears, Mrs. Esomonu described the unbearable pain of losing all her children at once, revealing that she still struggles daily with the trauma.
“Every day I wake up in the morning and remember them. Every day my alarm rings, but there are no kids for me to dress for school.
“Their killers are comfortable. They aren’t saying anything,” the grieving mother said.
In another emotional video circulating online, the distraught mother lamented:
“Every morning, my alarm still wakes me up to take my kids to school, but when I wake up, there is no longer a child by my side.”
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, ASP Blessing Agabe, said the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, had ordered a full investigation into the matter.
The police described the incident as tragic and said it had generated “widespread grief and concern” across the state.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Agabe said:
“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 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 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 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.
“Members of the public are urged 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.”
Despite the assurances from the police, Mrs. Esomonu accused officers at the Old GRA Police Station of remaining silent while those allegedly responsible continue to live freely.
The heartbreaking incident has since sparked outrage on social media, with many Nigerians demanding a transparent investigation and justice for the deceased children.
Family members, sympathisers, and concerned citizens have also launched online campaigns calling for the prosecution of both the driver and her boyfriend, insisting that the deaths of the three children must not be swept under the carpet.
