Three people have died in a road accident in Bayelsa State near the Swali market bridge area on the day Bola Tinubu visited the state to inaugurate projects.
The crash happened in Yenagoa as crowds gathered along the route.
Videos circulating online show damaged vehicles, people standing around the wreckage in shock, and debris scattered near roadside structures.
Some accounts claim the incident involved a vehicle linked to the convoy, with reports of flags on cars and police firing shots to control the scene after a community roadblock formed.
Others say it was a separate crash caused by reckless driving unrelated to the official movement.
Bola Tinubu arrived in Bayelsa on 10 April 2026 for a one-day visit.
The state government had declared a public holiday and closed markets so residents could take part in the events.
The programme included the commissioning of several infrastructure projects, such as a gas power plant, new roads, and a major bridge.
Eyewitnesses who spoke on social media described chaos at the scene.
One person posted that the accident took place right in front of them across the Swali bridge.
Another shared footage appearing to show the aftermath with bystanders reacting to the loss of life.
Claims quickly spread that speeding vehicles from the convoy forced their way through and contributed to the deaths.
No official statement has come from the presidency, the Bayelsa State government, or the police command confirming any link to the convoy.
Some voices on the ground insist the crash had nothing to do with Bola Tinubu’s movement and involved ordinary vehicles on the road that day.
They point out that police officers attended to the scene as they would any accident.
Road accidents remain common in parts of Nigeria, often linked to poor vehicle maintenance, speeding, or heavy traffic in busy market areas like Swali.
In this case, the timing during the high-profile visit has fuelled online debate, with many users sharing the videos and calling for clearer information from authorities.
The bodies of the deceased were said to have been recovered from the scene.
Details about the identities of the victims and any injured persons have not yet been released publicly.
Local sources say efforts are ongoing to notify families.As of Friday evening, the story continues to trend on social media platforms, with users divided between those blaming convoy movement and those dismissing the connection as unverified rumour.
No mainstream news outlet has carried confirmation of convoy involvement at the time of writing.
Bola Tinubu’s visit went ahead with the planned inaugurations despite the reported tragedy nearby.
The contrast between the official events and the accident has left many residents in the area reflecting on safety along routes used by high-level movements.