The Ondo State Police Command has dismissed claims that a vehicle from the convoy of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, was responsible for the death of a young girl in Akure on Thursday.
The denial follows a report by Sahara Reporters, which alleged that the tragic incident occurred during the First Lady’s visit to Ondo State for an empowerment programme.
In a press release signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayandade Olayinka Olushola, the command described the report as misleading and entirely baseless.
The police clarified that the fatal incident was actually caused by a hit-and-run driver operating an unregistered white Lexus SUV.
According to the statement, the incident happened near Oba Ile in Akure.
A witness who saw the crash reportedly chased the fleeing vehicle on a motorcycle. Multiple accounts from people at the scene and the family of the deceased supported this version of events, completely ruling out any involvement by the First Lady’s motorcade.
In addition, the police corrected the age of the victim, which Sahara Reporters claimed was nine. Her parents confirmed that the girl was seven years old at the time of her death.
The Commissioner of Police visited the victim’s family personally, assuring them of a thorough investigation and reiterating that no vehicle in the First Lady’s convoy was linked to the incident.
The command also addressed another erroneous report from Sahara Reporters, which claimed a kidnapping occurred in Ondo State. The police clarified that the incident actually took place in Ugbogui, a community located near Ohosu in Edo State, not within Ondo State jurisdiction.
Condemning the spread of false information, the police described Sahara Reporters’ actions as reckless and unprofessional, warning that such reporting could incite fear and distort public perception.
They called on the platform to retract the inaccurate reports and issue public apologies to the affected individuals and communities.
The command also expressed its condolences to the grieving family and urged members of the public to assist in locating the hit-and-run driver by providing useful information at the nearest police station.
The statement reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives, upholding justice, and promoting public trust in law enforcement efforts across the state.
