Olusegun Ariyo
The Edo State Police Command has said it has commenced a full-scale investigation into a fatal motor accident that claimed the life of a 2-year-old girl in Benin City.
Urban Express News Online reports that the command also stated that the mother of the deceased is currently receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.
The Public Relations Officer of the Command, Moses Yamu, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday in Benin City.
Yamu said the accident happened on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at about 5:30 p.m. at the Ring Road area of the state capital.
He said the tragic incident occurred when a white Vannette bus with registration number BEN 406 YA rammed into some pedestrians, ostensibly to evade arrest by members of the Edo State Public Safety Response.
Regrettably, he said, a girl of about 2 years old lost her life, while her mother is currently receiving treatment at the hospital.
The command’s spokesperson added that a member of the Public Safety Response accused of causing the accident was rescued from a mob and taken into custody for investigation.
He further stated that efforts are ongoing to identify and arrest the driver, who fled the scene.
“The Edo State Police Command has initiated a full investigation into a fatal motor accident recorded on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at about 17:30 hrs at the Ring Road area of Benin City.
“Upon receiving the report of the accident, operatives of the Esigie Divisional Headquarters, led by the Divisional Traffic Officer, swiftly arrived at the scene to manage the situation. A member of the Public Safety Response accused of causing the accident was rescued from a mob and taken into custody for investigation. The lifeless body of the child was rushed to the hospital, where she was confirmed dead.
“As part of the ongoing investigation, efforts are ongoing to identify and arrest the driver who fled the scene. Other records have been taken, as well as pictorial evidence, to aid in establishing the cause of the accident,” he said.
Yamu said the Commissioner of Police, Betty Enekpen Isokpan, has urged all motorists to observe traffic rules, obey constituted authorities, and exercise patience while on the road.
“Every road user has the responsibility to protect his or her life and that of every other road user by obeying established road safety protocols,” he added.
Urban Express News Online gathered that the accident was allegedly caused by officials of the Edo State Public Safety Response struggling for control of the vehicle’s steering with the commercial bus driver.
A source who spoke on condition of anonymity alleged that trouble started when the task force personnel accosted the commercial driver in a commando-style operation at Ring Road for an unknown traffic violation.
According to him, the Public Safety Response personnel alighted from their vehicle and tried to force themselves into the commercial bus.
“The bus driver maneuvered and tried to escape, but the task force officials held onto the steering.
“The scuffle continued while the bus was still in motion. In the ensuing confusion, the driver lost control and rammed into a toddler who was standing beside her mother’s wares on the roadside.
“The vehicle smashed the toddler’s head against the concrete floor, while her mother escaped death by a whisker,” he stated.
