TRAGEDY struck in Benin, Edo State on Wednesday evening, when a two-year-old girl was killed after a Vannette bus reportedly rammed pedestrians at Ring Road area of the state capital.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), mother of the child was also said to have sustained injuries and is currently receiving treatment in the hospital.
Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Moses Yamu, said the accident occurred at about 5:30 p.m.
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According to him, the incident was reportedly caused by the driver’s attempt to evade arrest by members of the Edo State Public Safety Response team.
“Following the accident, a mob descended on a member of the public safety response team, accusing him of being responsible for the tragedy.
“However, police operatives from the Esigie Divisional Headquarters swiftly intervened, rescuing the officer and taking him into custody for investigation,” Yamu said.
He said the command had already launched a full-scale investigation into the incident, with efforts ongoing to apprehend the driver, who fled the scene.
“Law enforcement officers have also gathered pictorial evidence and other records to determine the exact cause of the crash,” he said.
The police spokesperson quoted the Commissioner of Police in the state, Betty Otimenyin, as urging motorists to obey traffic rules and cooperate with law enforcement authorities to prevent similar occurrences.
He said Otimenyin emphasised the need for patience on the road, stressing that every road user had a duty to protect lives by adhering to safety protocols.
Yamu however, assured the public that those responsible for the accident would be brought to justice.
