A bus driver who tried to avoid getting arrested ended up running over a two-year-old girl, according to Edo State Public Safety Response officers.
On Wednesday, task force personnel struggled with a commercial bus driver on the Ring Road in Benin City as they attempted to arrest him. Witnesses said that when the task force officers confronted the driver, the scene became more heated.
The driver tried to maneuver his car to get away, but the officials grabbed the steering wheel.
“The vehicle crashed into a toddler standing beside her mother’s roadside wares, while her mother narrowly escaped death,” a witness said.
Edo State Police Command spokesman, Moses Yamu, confirmed the incident saying investigation had been launched.
“A white Vannette bus with registration number BEN 406 YA ran into pedestrians while trying to evade arrest by the Public Safety Response team. Unfortunately, a two-year-old girl lost her life, while her mother is currently receiving treatment at the hospital,” he said.
He further mentioned that a task force officer who was suspected of triggering the accident was saved from the crowd and is currently being held by the police for additional investigation.
CP Betty Otimenyin, the Commissioner of Police, advised drivers to be patient, respect authority, and follow traffic laws.
