A hit-and-run driver allegedly caused 7-year-old child’s death during Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s wife visit to Ondo State, the Nigeria police Command in the State said late Thursday.
The victim was said to have lost her life battle after a hilux in the First Lady’s convoy allegedly knocked down the victim identified as Saratu Lawal around the crowded Oba Ile area on Thursday April 17, 2025.
Tragedy struck when the First Lady’s convoy was moving from the airport to the venue of the flag-off the South-West leg of the Renewed Hope Initiative to improve the well-being of women and girls across the nation.
But, the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Ayanlade Olushola, spokesperson said this in a statement in response to the outrage that trailed the incident.
The statement admitted that the president’s wife was on a visit to the state on Thursday to distribute empowerment kits and equipment.
It clarified that “Eyewitness accounts and preliminary investigations conducted by the Ondo State Police Command have confirmed that the incident was caused by a hit-and-run driver operating an unregistered white Lexus vehicle — not by any vehicle belonging to or associated with the First Lady’s convoy”.
The statement also said, “A witness who observed the hit-and-run pursued the fleeing vehicle on a motorcycle immediately after the incident, which occurred around the Oba Ile area of Akure. These accounts have been corroborated by several individuals at the scene as well as by the parents of the deceased.
“The Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, was personally present and met with the grieving family to ensure a full and transparent investigation. At no point was the First Lady’s convoy involved in this tragedy.
“The Command commiserated with the bereaved family and urged the general public to cooperate with us as we bring the perpetrator of the hit-and-run to justice.
“Also, we urge anyone with any useful information to please come forward or report to the nearest police station or security post nearest to them while we hunt for the killer”, according to the police.
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