Driver flees after hitting policewoman during Tinubu's arrival

A female police inspector, Mercy Bassey, has died after a hit-and-run driver knocked her down. This happened while she was on duty for President Bola Tinubu's arrival in Lagos on Tuesday.

A source, who did not want to be named, told PUNCH Metro on Wednesday that Bassey was hit by a black Highlander SUV.

Bassey worked at the Ikotun Divisional Police Station. She was crossing the Third Mainland Bridge at the Adekunle Intersection towards Lagos Island when the incident happened.

The source explained that she was on route-lining duty for the presidential visit when the driver struck her. The source also mentioned that they do not know the registration number of the SUV or who the driver is.

The source said, “Yesterday, at about 2:30pm, while on route lining for the Presidential movement, Inspector Mercy Bassey, attached to Ikotun Divisional Police Station, Lagos, was hit by a black Highlander SUV while crossing the Third Mainland Bridge at Adekunle Intersection, inward Lagos Island, Lagos.

“The registration number of the vehicle and the driver are not yet known. The vehicle sped off after hitting the officer. The vehicle was chased by patrolmen on duty but escaped to an unknown destination.”

After the incident, they took the policewoman to the General Hospital in Ebute Metta for treatment. Sadly, she died while waiting for care.

“The victim was rushed to General Hospital, Ebute Metta, but later died while awaiting treatment. The corpse will be moved to a morgue in Yaba for preservation,” the source added.

The police are trying to get CCTV footage from the area to identify the vehicle and catch the driver.

When we reached out for comments, Abimbola Adebisi, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, confirmed the incident but did not want to say more.

“We don’t want to comment on the matter at the moment,” she said.

As of now, the driver and vehicle details remain unknown. This incident occurs during a time of increased security in Lagos as agencies prepare for the President’s movement.

The PUNCH reported that Tinubu returned to Lagos on Tuesday after spending time in France, where he was on vacation. He came back after completing his working vacation in the UK and France.

The President's plane landed at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, at 6.22pm.