“The police killed the girl. If they hadn’t chased the driver without caution, that unfortunate incident wouldn’t have happened,” – Eyewitness
“The girl was struck by a commercial bus whose driver, in a panic, sped off recklessly after spotting an approaching police van,” – Lagos Police spokesman
By Abdul-Mumin Abdul-Quadir
When Adaeze Miracle Ugorji, a six-year-old girl, was leaving home on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, like other days, she wore her pinafore uniform, strapped her backpack behind her and bade her parents goodbye. Unfortunately, that was a farewell goodbye to the parents.
With great expectation of her returning from school, the mother, Mrs. Ugorji, had prepared lunch for Adaeze and Daniel, her younger brother. Then, the sad news filtered in. Her daughter had been fatally struck by a commercial minibus popularly known as korope at the Ecobank roundabout in Iyana-Ipaja area.
According to eye-witnesses accounts, the commercial bus was allegedly being chased by patrolling vehicle of police officers from the Moshalashi Police Station for reasons unknown, when he hit the late Adaeze.
Driver fled in panic, not chased – Lagos police spokesman
However, the police refuted the account. The Police spokesman in Lagos, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, in a statement clarifying the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of the six-year-old girl, said preliminary investigations revealed that Adaeze was struck by the driver, who, in a panic, sped off recklessly after spotting an approaching police van.
CSP Hundeyin had said that the driver was in custody, and that investigation was ongoing.
Moshalashi police officers responsible for the accident – Eye witnesses
Following reports published by Sahara Reporters on the incident that indicted the police for the death of the girl and the statement by CSP Hudenyin, Community Standard visited the scene of the accident to find out the true picture of what transpired.
Interestingly, the eyewitnesses hesitated to narrate their experiences. They were afraid of what might happen afterwards. Some even claimed they were not there when it happened. However, it took persistence and assurances that their identities would not be disclosed before a few agreed to narrate their experiences.
“We were all going about our businesses, hustling for our daily bread when this korope driver drove recklessly into the restricted area where some people went about doing their things. Everyone ran for their dear lives. I also ran as fast as my legs could permit, and after I reached a safe place, I watched the scene to see what was going on.
“I saw one of the traders still at the spot. She muttered some words that I couldn’t hear. Those who ran to the scene after the bus had stopped paid attention to her amidst the pandemonium and acted upon her words. They looked under the korope, where she kept pointing. Lo and behold, they brought out a very young girl from under the korope.”
“Officers of the Nigeria Police Force who were also at the scene tried to take away the driver. I had to leave the scene because the sight was very gory. Watching a kid die in that manner really traumatised me for days. That girl could have been anyone’s child,” Olubunmi Adewale (not real name) narrated.
In tears, she added that she did not even want to remember the incident but opened up so the girl could get justice.
Emeka Jude (name withheld) explained the alleged involvement of the police in the accident.
He said: “I wasn’t at the exact spot when it happened. Loud screams and the chaos at the scene attracted many of us, but on getting there, I saw a young school girl under a korope. She should be about 5 years of age. Her blood was everywhere. I was moved to tears by what I saw. I walked back to my duty post disheartened.
“Not long after, some boys who had witnessed the incident from the beginning tried to stop the police when they wanted to leave the scene. They didn’t want the officers who were from Moshalashi Police Station, a few metres away, to flee after wreaking havoc, but they had to back out when the officers threatened them with guns as if they were going to fire shots. Afterwards, the officers drove out of sight menacingly, with the driver in their captivity.
“After about 30 minutes, they came back fully armed and reinforced, as if they were going for a very serious operation. In their company was a towing vehicle. No one dared to near them because it was obvious, they were determined to combat anyone who stood in their way.”
All Adeola Nwosu (not real name) could say amidst tears was: “The police killed the girl. If they hadn’t chased the driver without caution, that unfortunate incident wouldn’t have happened. It’s sad that the officers in question will cover the tracks and go scot-free. Another person will have to suffer for the crime they committed. That’s their way.”
Adaeze’s father, Mr. Nnamdi Ugorji, who was bothered about inability to access his daughter’s remains at the first meeting with our correspondent, said: “My concern now is that since the incident happened, I’ve not set my eyes on my daughter. I don’t even know how she is, and I can’t even do anything right now. I can’t go anywhere because I have to bury that girl and let her go and rest.”
Luckily, he later confirmed that he was able to collect her remains and had buried her at the Yaba Cemetery on Saturday, 22nd March.
Interestingly, in the fold of events that happened after the young girl had been buried, our correspondent went to Moshalashi Police Station, in a bid to hear what the police had to say regarding the eyewitnesses’ accounts, but he was told that the case was transferred shortly after the incident happened. Efforts to speak with the investigating officer of the case proved abortive.
Driver charged to court
Although, the Police is yet to make public the outcome of its investigation, Community Standard can authoritatively report that the driver of the minibus, has already been charged to court.
He was supposed to appear before T.A. Popoola on Monday, 7th April 2025, at the Magistrate Court in Ejigbo, but the correctional centre could not convey him to the venue for security concerns.
The presiding magistrate has, however, adjourned the hearing till Monday, 19th May 2025, after due consultation among prosecuting counsel, Simon Abiola, defence counsel, K. O. Adeogun and Barr. Okezie, who is taking a brief for the complainant, Mr. Nnamdi Ugorji.
While the driver faces the charge in court, what happened to the officers, who, according to eye witnesses, were allegedly complicit in the death of the six-year-old girl?
One of the eye witnesses, Mazi Danjuma (not real name) expects so much from the police. He feels the division should do the needful and reclaim the trust of the citizenry in the police.
He said: “The police caused it. The DPO of Moshalashi should just provide the officers who committed the atrocity. There’s no need to cover for erring the officers. The police need to reclaim its long-lost goodwill. The offenders must not go unpunished.”
For the Urgorjis, all they want is justice for their daughter. Mr. Ugorji had told Sahara Reporters, back then, that the police officers were responsible for his daughter’s death.
“It is very unfortunate that those who are supposed to protect us are the ones killing us. I am calling on all well-meaning Nigerians to come to my aid. I want justice for my daughter,” he said.
