Akure, Nigeria – The Ondo State Police Command has vehemently denied allegations that the convoy of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, was responsible for the death of a seven-year-old girl in a hit-and-run incident in Akure. The police are demanding a retraction and apology from Sahara Reporters, which initially reported the claim.
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According to the police, the victim, Saratu Lawal, was struck by an unregistered white Lexus vehicle in the Oba-Ile area of Akure. Eyewitness accounts and preliminary investigations reportedly indicate that the vehicle was not part of the First Lady’s convoy. A witness allegedly pursued the fleeing vehicle immediately after the incident.
The Commissioner of Police personally visited the victim’s family to express condolences and assure them of a thorough investigation. The police also corrected initial reports that misstated the girl’s age.
The police’s swift and forceful denial highlights the sensitivity surrounding incidents involving high-profile figures and their security details in Nigeria. Erroneous reports can quickly fuel public anger and distrust.
Sahara Reporters has yet to respond to the police’s demand for a retraction. The incident underscores the challenges of reporting accurately and responsibly in a fast-paced media environment, particularly when dealing with politically charged issues.
The police are urging anyone with information about the hit-and-run incident to come forward as they continue their investigation. The case is likely to remain a subject of public scrutiny as authorities work to identify and apprehend the driver responsible for the girl’s death.