A speeding car has killed a commercial tricycle rider and four passengers in a road crash in Delta State, South-south Nigeria.
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The victims included a pregnant woman and a four-month-old child.
A witness, Jude Okonkwo, told the News Agency of Nigeria that the accident occurred around 8:25 a.m. on Saturday.
The crash happened along the Ogwashi-Uku Polytechnic–Azagba Road in Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State.
Mr Okonkwo said a man was driving a Lexus 350 from the Azagba axis at high speed and allegedly crossed into the opposite lane and rammed into the oncoming tricycle.
The impact reportedly killed the tricycle rider and the four passengers instantly.
The driver, who escaped unhurt, reportedly abandoned his vehicle and fled to avoid being attacked by an angry mob.
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Witnesses and passers-by subsequently set the Lexus car ablaze before police operatives from Ogwashi-Uku Division arrived.
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However, a combined team of police officers and local vigilantes intercepted and rescued the fleeing suspect. He was subsequently taken into police custody.
Witnesses said four of the victims were women traders travelling from Ogwashi-Uku to the weekly Nkwor Azagba Market.
They were reportedly carrying goods to the market along the Benin-Asaba Expressway.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the police command in Delta, Bright Edafe, a police superintendent, said he was unaware of the incident.
“I am not aware of the incident. I have not received any brief from the police in Ogwashi-Uku on the incident. I will get back to you once I am briefed,” he said.