No fewer than six students of Army Children Primary School, Effurun, Uvwie council area of Delta State, on Thursday afternoon, reportedly died after a petrol-laden tanker ran into them.
Three of the deceased pupils, it was learnt, were siblings.
Several others were reportedly rushed to the military hospital located inside the General David Ejoor Barracks, Effurun and Central Hospital, Warri.
The incident was said to have occurred by a link road opposite the Army Barracks.
Twelve pupils were rushed to the Central Hospital, Warri from which nine were confirmed dead on arrival.
The other three were reportedly referred to the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara after being stabilised.
The students were said to be returning home after school hours, when the unfortunate incident occurred.
A combined team of the Nigerian Army, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other security agencies made efforts to recover other pupils believed to be trapped under the tanker.
Firefighters were equally drafted to the scene to prevent fire outbreaks.
Delta Police spokesman, DSP Bright Edafe, confirmed the death of six pupils, noting the number is “tentative”.
He added the whereabouts of the driver were not known.