A family in Rivers State has blamed the alleged indiscriminate parking of a waste collector truck for the death of three of its members in a fatal accident that occurred on New Year’s Day at the Obiri-Ikwerre flyover in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
The deceased were identified as Ahmed, his five-year-old daughter, Sheila, and his brother, Afiz. They reportedly lost their lives after the vehicle they were travelling in collided with a stationary waste collector truck allegedly parked without warning signs on the flyover.
Speaking with journalists on Friday, January 2, 2026, a brother of the deceased, Engr. Muideen Ajiboye, described the incident as unfortunate and avoidable.
“It is so unfortunate that a waste collector truck parked at the Obiri-Ikwerre flyover caused this accident. The truck was stationed there without any caution sign, and my brother, Ahmed, rammed into it on crossover night into the New Year,” Ajiboye said.
He explained that the impact claimed the lives of Ahmed, his daughter Sheila, and his brother Afiz, while other occupants of the vehicle sustained severe injuries and are currently unconscious in hospital.
“We are calling on the government to look into this matter. This kind of negligence has taken so many lives in Rivers State. We want a thorough investigation, and we urge the waste management agency to call its contractors to order,” he added.
Further investigation by our correspondent revealed that the wife, son, and sister of the late Ahmed were also in the vehicle and are presently receiving treatment for life-threatening injuries at a hospital.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Rivers State Police Command, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Grace Koko, said two persons died at the scene of the accident.
“Two persons died on the spot, while investigation is ongoing to ascertain the cause of the accident,” she stated.
Our correspondent reports that while Ahmed’s daughter and brother died instantly, Ahmed was rushed to hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.
