‘How Edo safety operative, bus driver caused death of toddler in Benin’
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An eyewitness who declined having his name in print, disclosed that the taskforce personnel accosted a commercial bus driver in a reckless manner at the Ring Road for an unknown traffic violation, and dragged the steering wheel with him, hitting the victim in the process. "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 taskforce officials held on to his steering. "The scuffle continued while the bus was still on motion. In the ensuing confusion, the driver lost control and rammed into the toddler who was standing beside her mother's wares on the roadside.
By Jethro Ibileke
Attempt by an official of Edo State Public Safety Response Task Force to forcefully stop and arrest a commercial bus and its driver has led to crushing to death of a yet-to-be-named toddler at the busiest part of Benin City, popularly known as Ring Road.
The incident occurred on Wednesday evening.
An eyewitness who declined having his name in print, disclosed that the taskforce personnel accosted a commercial bus driver in a reckless manner at the Ring Road for an unknown traffic violation, and dragged the steering wheel with him, hitting the victim in the process.
“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 taskforce officials held on to his steering.
“The scuffle continued while the bus was still on motion. In the ensuing confusion, the driver lost control and rammed into the toddler who was standing beside her mother’s wares on the roadside.
“The vehicle smashed the toddler’s head to the concrete floor, while her mother escaped death by the whisker,” he said.
Meanwhile the Edo State Police Command said it has initiated full investigation into the fatal incident.
The Command’s spokesmanz CSP Moses Yamu, in a statement on Thursday, confirmed that the tragic incident involved a white Vannette bus with registration number BEN 406 YA.
“The bus rammed into some pedestrian, ostensibly to evade arrest by members of the Edo State Public Safety Response.
“A girl of about 2-year-old lost her life while the mother is currently receiving treatment at the hospital.
“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,” he said.
Yamu added that efforts are ongoing to identify and arrest the driver who he said fled the scene.
He quoted the State Commissioner of Police, Betty Otimenyin, as “urging motorists to observe all traffic rules, obey constituted authorities and exercise patience while on the road.”
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