By Rosheedat Akinkunle, JKNewsMedia Reporter
CLAIMS THAT a young girl was crushed by a vehicle in the convoy of Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, have been firmly denied by the Nigeria Police, who labelled the reports “false and misleading.”
The Ondo State Police Command, in a statement released Thursday night by its spokesperson, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Olushola Ayanlade, said the story circulated by Sahara Reporters lacked any factual basis.
Preliminary findings confirmed that the tragic death of a seven-year-old girl in Akure was not connected in any way to the First Lady’s entourage.
According to the police, eyewitness accounts at the Oba-Ile axis of Akure — where the incident occurred — pointed instead to a hit-and-run involving an unregistered white Lexus.
A witness reportedly chased the fleeing vehicle on a motorcycle, and this version of events was supported by multiple observers at the scene as well as the victim’s parents.
“At no point was the First Lady’s convoy involved in this tragedy,” the statement emphasised.
Police also corrected the age of the child, which had been misreported as nine. The victim’s parents confirmed she was seven, accusing the publication of “disregard for factual accuracy.”
The Ondo State Commissioner of Police was said to have visited the bereaved family and pledged a thorough and transparent investigation.
Senator Tinubu was in Ondo State for the launch of the Renewed Hope Initiative Health Programme, a flagship effort focused on healthcare support for midwives and rural women.
At the International Event Centre, The Dome, in Akure — which hosted a packed audience — she distributed 10,000 professional kits including scrubs and Crocs to midwives from across the South-West.
She also met with traditional rulers and Afenifere leader Pa Reuben Fasoranti during her visit.
In her address, the First Lady unveiled a new menstrual hygiene programme titled Flow with Confidence, through which 10,000 sanitary pads will be distributed in each South-West state.
She further reaffirmed her office’s commitment to ending female genital mutilation, calling it a “harmful and outdated tradition.”
Wife of the Ondo State Governor, Mrs Oluwaseun Esther Aiyedatiwa, hailed the First Lady’s visit and described it as a heartfelt gesture towards improving women’s health outcomes.
“These incentives will go a long way to encourage, inspire and support our dedicated midwives and reduce infant mortality,” she said.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa also commended the initiative and disclosed new programmes aimed at supporting persons with disabilities and the elderly, including assistive tools, skills acquisition, and geriatric care services.
