Bella Ifasola
ABEOKUTA, Nigeria – A suspected group of internet fraudsters, popularly called ‘Yahoo boys’ in Nigeria have reportedly rammed their car into a 24-year-old pedestrian, leaving her child dead and others injured in Ogun State.
Ogunbunmi Rukayat, 24, was carrying her one-year-old baby, Sekiniat, on her back when the accident happened on Thursday, according to a local news outlet.
The grey Lexus ES350 car, with registration number: APP429JN was driven by Ishola Qudus, 27, accompanied by three others who were allegedly drinking inside the vehicle before the accident occurred.
The car which lost control and veered off the road reportedly overturned after hitting the pedestrians, Daily Post news agency reported, citing police.
Spokeswoman of the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident, saying despite efforts to save the victims, Sekiniat was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, in Abeokuta, the state capital.
Odutola noted that Qudus, who is suspected to be a learner driver, claimed the accident resulted from a loss of control.
“Upon arriving at the scene opposite Rejoice Supermarket in Idi-Aba, officers found three critically injured victims: Ogunbunmi Rukayat, age 24, her daughter Sekiniat 1, and Adeola Olufolake Elizabeth, 60.
“The Lexus, driven by 27-year-old Ishola Qudus, reportedly overturned after hitting the pedestrians.
“Qudus, who is suspected to be a learner driver, claimed the accident resulted from a loss of control.
“He was accompanied by three other passengers identified as Azeez Adesanya, Olamide Oyedola, and Suliman Ogundele. All four occupants sustained minor injuries from the crash but were otherwise unharmed.
“Tragically, despite efforts to save the victims, Sekiniat was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Abeokuta. Rukayat and the other injured woman, Elizabeth, are currently receiving intensive medical care,” she said.
“Following the incident, Ishola Qudus was taken to Aro Psychiatric Hospital for a toxicology test to determine whether drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash.
“Further updates on the case will be provided as investigations continue,” the police spokeswoman added.