The Ondo State Police Command has strongly denied reports alleging that a vehicle in the convoy of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, was responsible for the tragic death of a young girl in Akure on Thursday.
The First Lady was in Ondo State for the launch of the Renewed Hope Initiative Health Programme, where she also distributed 10,000 professional kits—including Crocs and scrubs—to midwives across the South-West.
Reacting to the incident, the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Olufunmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, described the report—originally published by Sahara Reporters—as false and misleading.
“The attention of the Ondo State Police Command has been drawn to a false and misleading report published by Sahara Reporters on April 17,” the statement read. “It alleged that the convoy of the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, was responsible for the tragic death of a young girl in Akure.”
However, preliminary investigations and multiple eyewitness testimonies indicated that the fatal accident was caused by a hit-and-run driver operating an unregistered white Lexus vehicle—not by any vehicle linked to the First Lady’s convoy.
A witness who saw the incident reportedly chased the fleeing driver on a motorcycle immediately after the collision in the Oba-Ile area of Akure. The victim’s parents and other eyewitnesses supported the account, confirming that the First Lady’s convoy was not involved.
The police also corrected inaccuracies in the report, stating that the deceased child was seven years old—not nine as claimed.
“This error further highlights the publication’s disregard for factual accuracy, even in a matter as sensitive as this,” the police noted.
In a gesture of compassion, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State personally visited the grieving family and assured them of a thorough and transparent investigation.
“At no point was the First Lady’s convoy involved in this tragedy,” the police spokesperson reiterated.
