Two-year-old toddler crushed to death after officers struggle steering with Driver
Two-year-old toddler crushed to death after officers struggle steering with Driver
A two-year-old girl tragically lost her life on Wednesday evening after being crushed by a commercial bus in a chaotic incident at Ring Road, Benin City.
The fatal accident occurred when members of the Edo State Public Safety Response Team (PSR) attempted to seize control of the bus’s steering wheel, leading to a loss of control by the driver.
Eyewitnesses at the scene described a tense and dangerous struggle between the driver and two PSR officers.
The officers allegedly tried to take hold of the moving vehicle’s steering wheel, causing the driver to veer off the road.
The bus then crashed into a roadside Point of Sale (PoS) kiosk where the young girl and her mother were standing, knocking the child and her mother against concrete slabs. The child was pronounced dead at the scene.
The tragic event quickly ignited public outrage, and a crowd gathered at the scene, turning their anger on the PSR operatives.
The officers were reportedly beaten by the crowd before they were escorted to a nearby police station, along with the child’s lifeless body.
Human rights activist and eyewitness, Marxist Kola Edokoayi, condemned the actions of the PSR officers, calling for better training for personnel on modern and safer policing techniques.
He urged the government to implement educational programs to guide law enforcement officers in handling situations without resorting to dangerous methods.
He said, “We know how difficult it is for a woman to carry a baby for 9 months and put to bed. We don’t gain anything from the government, no water, no road, we provide everything for ourselves, and that is why this woman came out to hustle.
“But the carelessness of some Public Safety Response officials caused the death of this little child. You saw a driver, driving against traffic, you should have collected his particulars and probably serve him paper tomorrow, but you are using 16th century method to solve 21st century problem.
“He was dragging the steering wheel with the driver, those around you are not safe, you are not safe as well. I know this is not what government sent them to do. When they were told to clear Ihama off those selling hard drugs, they did it and we commended them but what they have done is public nuisance, not public safety.”
Reacting, the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo through a statement signed by his Spokesperson, Bugie Okhuemoi, expressed sadness over the tragic loss of the young.
“The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo is deeply pained by the devastating event, and the governor extends his most sincere and heartfelt condolences to the grieving family.
“No parent should have to endure such an unimaginable loss, and he shares in their sorrow during this difficult time.
“Governor Okpebholo has ordered an immediate and thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding this heartbreaking incident,” the statement said.
He assured that the government would take full responsibility for ensuring that anyone found accountable for the incident is brought to justice, emphasizing that no life should ever be lost due to negligence or carelessness.
The PSR Team was established to maintain public order, safeguard public infrastructure, and address illegal activities such as street trading and unauthorized parking within the state.
