Family Disputes Claim in Schoolgirl’s Death as Safety Concerns Rise Over Julius Berger Site

The family of a six-year-old schoolgirl who died after being hit by a heavy-duty truck belonging to Julius Berger Nigeria PLC has refuted claims that the vehicle stopped to allow the child to cross the road before the accident occurred.

Warri Sentinel News had earlier reported an eyewitness account suggesting that the child was returning from school and attempted to cross the busy road near an ongoing construction site. The witness claimed the driver initially waited for her and other school children to pass but may have assumed they all had cleared the road before moving the truck.

However, the mother of the deceased, Joy Edhebru, rejected that version of events, insisting that the driver did not stop for the children. She maintained that the accident resulted from the driver’s negligence, adding that the company had been carrying out construction work in the area without adequate safety warnings and protective measures.

Speaking to Warri Sentinel News on Friday, Edhebru described her daughter as a vibrant and intelligent child whose death has left the family deeply devastated.

She confirmed that representatives of the company visited the home following public protests over the company’s silence three days after the incident. She, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome of the visit and the response received.

Meanwhile, residents who spoke to Warri Sentinel News raised concerns about safety measures at construction sites operated by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC. Some recalled similar incidents in the past, which they attributed to inadequate safety measures and insufficient traffic control around active construction zones.