The Commissioner of Police in Ondo state, Wilfred Afolabi has described as untrue and baseless the rumour that a vehicle in the convoy of wife of the Nigerian president, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, killed a nine-year-old girl identified as Saratu Lawal in Akure, Ondo State.
The Police Commissioner was reacting to a media report ( Not Roving Reporters) that the first lady’s convoy killed a young girl while leaving the Akure Airport for the venue of the flag off of the Renewed Hope Initiative programme and distribution of 10,000 professional kits — comprising Crocs and scrubs — to nurses and midwives in the South-West region.
Reacting to the report in an interview with Roving Reporters on Thursday night, Afolabi said no vehicle in the first lady’s convoy was involved in any any form of accident.
The Police Commissioner said, “It was in the morning when the first lady came in and her convoy had passed. And then, a vehicle was coming at the back but it was not in the first lady’s convoy. He drove dangerously and hit a nine-year-old girl.
“In fact, when it happened I went back and I met eyewitnesses and the parents of the young girl killed.
“I asked what really happened and they confirmed to me that it was a white Lexus that hit the young lady. On the basis of that, I went straight on the air. I called people at all of the stop and search points that they should be on the lookout for the vehicle.”
The command also released a statement debunking the report.
“The attention of the Ondo State Police Command have be drawn to a false and misleading report published by Sahara Reporters on April 17, 2025, alleging that the convoy of the First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu who was on a visit to the state today to distribute empowerment kits and equipment, was responsible for the tragic death of a young girl in Akure, Ondo State.
“This claim is entirely false, reckless, and without any factual foundation.
“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.
“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.
“Furthermore, Sahara Reporters inaccurately claimed the deceased girl to be 9 years old. According to her parents, the child was in fact 7 years old — another clear example of the publication’s disregard for factual accuracy, even in reporting such a sensitive and tragic matter.
“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.
“Equally concerning is Sahara Reporters’ separate misreporting today of a kidnapping incident it claimed occurred in Ondo State. Verified information confirms that the incident actually took place in a community called Ugbogui near Ohosu in neighboring Edo State — not Ondo — as confirmed by local security authorities.
“The pattern of misinformation and sensationalism displayed by Sahara Reporters is not only unprofessional but also deeply harmful. These misleading stories cause unnecessary fear, spread confusion, and do a grave disservice to public discourse and national unity.
“The command call on Sahara Reporters to immediately retract these false reports and issue public apologies to the affected individuals and communities. The Ondo State Police Command remains committed to truth, accountability, and the safety and security of all residents of the state .
“The command commiserate with 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.”
