A vehicle in First Lady Remi Tinubu’s convoy allegedly struck and killed a 7-year-old girl, Saratu Lawal, in Akure, Ondo State. The tragic incident occurred during an official visit. Locals demand accountability as the girl’s family mourns. The Presidency has yet to release a statement on the matter.
A tragic incident unfolded in Akure, Ondo State, on Thursday, April 17, 2025, when a vehicle reportedly belonging to the convoy of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, allegedly struck and killed a seven-year-old girl, Saratu Lawal.
The accident is said to have occurred near the Oba Ile Central Mosque as the First Lady’s motorcade was en route from the Akure airport to a public function. She was in town to launch the South-West phase of the Renewed Hope Initiative—an empowerment program focused on supporting women and girls, including the distribution of professional kits to over 10,000 healthcare workers.
Eyewitnesses claim that a butter-colored Hilux vehicle in the fast-moving convoy hit Saratu, who was reportedly returning from her Arabic school at the time. The young girl was immediately taken to a local primary healthcare center, but despite swift efforts, she was pronounced dead.
Saratu’s grieving father, Malam Lawali, a local trader, expressed his heartbreak but said he has chosen to leave the matter in God’s hands. Her body has since been buried by Islamic customs.
The incident has sparked emotional reactions across social media, with users demanding accountability and questioning the safety protocols of high-profile convoys. As of now, no official statement has been released by the Presidency or the Office of the First Lady.
Calls continue to mount for a transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Saratu’s death and for steps to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
