Sam Philip
The convoy of the First Lady, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu,has been distanced from an accident in which a girl of seven years old was knocked down by a vehicle in Oba-Ile, Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State.
A statement signed by the spokesman for the state Police Command, Ayanlade Olayinka, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) on Thursday reads in parts: “The attention of the Ondo State Police Command have be drawn to a false and misleading report published by (a News media) 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, (new media) 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 (news media’s) 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.
T”he pattern of misinformation and sensationalism displayed by (news media) 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 ( the news media) 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 resident 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.”