Akure, Nigeria – April 18, 2025 — The Ondo State Police Command has firmly 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 nine-year-old girl in Akure on Thursday.
The denial comes in response to a report published by Sahara Reporters, which claimed that a vehicle in the First Lady’s motorcade fatally struck the young girl during her visit to Ondo State.
Senator Tinubu had travelled to Akure to launch the Renewed Hope Initiative Health Programme and distribute 10,000 professional kits—including Crocs and scrubs—to midwives across the South-West geopolitical zone.
The event, attended by government officials and health workers, was part of ongoing efforts to improve maternal and child health services in the region.
However, hours after the First Lady’s visit, reports began circulating on social media and online platforms alleging that a vehicle in her convoy had hit a young girl, leading to her death.
In a swift response, the spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Olushola Ayanlade, issued a statement on Friday condemning the reports 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 began.
“It alleged that the convoy of the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, was responsible for the tragic death of a young girl in Akure,” Ayanlade continued.
“Eyewitness accounts and preliminary investigations conducted by the command confirm that the incident was caused by a hit-and-run driver operating an unregistered white Lexus vehicle, and not by any vehicle associated with the First Lady’s convoy.”
The police further appealed to media outlets to exercise caution and verify facts before publishing sensitive stories, especially those capable of inflaming public emotions or misrepresenting high-profile individuals.
Ayanlade also assured the public that efforts are underway to apprehend the unidentified driver responsible for the incident.
“We are actively working to track down the hit-and-run driver. We urge anyone with credible information that could aid the investigation to come forward,” he added.
While the tragic loss of the young girl has cast a shadow over the First Lady’s visit, there has been no official statement from Senator Tinubu or her office addressing the incident.
However, several political observers have noted the prompt response from the police as an attempt to manage public perception and prevent the spread of misinformation.
The police statement has since sparked mixed reactions online, with some Nigerians calling for a transparent investigation and others questioning the veracity of eyewitness accounts.
Meanwhile, the child’s identity has not been officially released, and no family statement has yet been made public. The community in Akure remains in mourning, with many residents expressing deep sorrow over the incident, regardless of who was responsible.
As investigations continue, the Ondo State Police Command has reiterated its commitment to uncovering the truth and delivering justice to the grieving family.
