Tragedy struck in Lagos on Tuesday when a police patrol vehicle pursuing a suspect fatally hit a six-year-old girl at the Ecobank roundabout in Iyana-Ipaja.
The victim’s father, Nnamdi Ugorji, recounted the heartbreaking incident to SaharaReporters on Wednesday. According to him, officers from the Moshalashi Police Station were chasing a suspect when their speeding vehicle struck his daughter.
“The police were in pursuit of someone, and in the process, they hit my daughter with their vehicle,” Ugorji said, struggling to contain his grief.
He explained that his daughter had gone to withdraw money from an ATM at Ecobank with her siblings when the tragic accident occurred.
“They were on their way back when the police vehicle, moving at high speed, ran over my daughter and killed her,” he said.
Ugorji accused the police of attempting to cover up the incident by falsely claiming that the vehicle had somersaulted.
“It is obvious to anyone who sees the car that their claim is false. The vehicle is at the police station, but they are trying to cover up their crime to protect themselves,” he stated.
“The officers are responsible for my daughter’s death, and now they are lying. My baby was just six years old—my first daughter,” he added, his voice filled with anguish.
Ugorji revealed that he was at work in Ogba when he received the devastating news. He questioned why the police, entrusted with protecting lives and maintaining law and order, would resort to deceit instead of taking responsibility for their actions.
“They know what they did to my child. They also have children they protect—would they wish such a tragedy upon themselves? Why are they lying? Don’t they fear God and judgment?” he lamented.
The grieving father disclosed that his daughter’s body would be transported to their village in Abia State for burial. However, he expressed concern over the financial burden this placed on him.
“As a poor man, where will I get the money to take her to the village for burial? It is unfortunate that those meant to protect us are the ones taking our lives,” he said.
He called on President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Women Affairs, and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to intervene and ensure that the officers responsible for his daughter’s death are brought to justice.
“I am calling on all well-meaning Nigerians to come to my aid. I want justice for my daughter,” he pleaded.
When contacted, Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said, “I am not aware of this case. I will make my findings, and if there are any developments, I will get back to you.”
