Iliyasu S. Yahaya
A tragic incident occurred in Akure, Ondo State, when a vehicle in the convoy of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, killed a 7-year-old girl named Saratu Lawal. The incident was confirmed by multiple eyewitnesses and sources.
According to reports, the accident happened around the Oba Ile area as the convoy was en route from the Akure Airport to the venue of the Renewed Hope Initiative program. The vehicle involved was a butter-colored Hilux, which knocked down Saratu near the Oba Ile Central Mosque. Despite efforts to save her, the child was rushed to the primary healthcare in Oba Ile, where she was pronounced dead.
The First Lady was in Akure to launch the South-West phase of the Renewed Hope Initiative, a federal program aimed at improving the welfare of women and girls nationwide. Over 10,000 professional kits were distributed to nurses and midwives across the region as part of the event.
Saratu’s father, Malam Lawali, a trader at the Oba Ile Market, confirmed the loss of his daughter and said he has “handed everything to God.” The girl’s body has been returned to the family for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.
As of the time of filing this report, the police have not issued an official statement regarding the incident.
