Rita Odafe
In a heartbreaking incident, a 12-year-old girl named Toyosi Ademola was fatally hit by a truck on Uselu Lagos Road near Uselu Market in Benin City, Edo State.
The tragic accident occurred at around 6:00 p.m. while Toyosi, a Primary 5 student at Oba Ewuare Primary School, was standing by the pavement after crossing the road from the market. A truck approaching from the Ugbowo-Lagos road direction struck her while she was waiting to cross to the other side.
Eyewitnesses observed that the truck was experiencing mechanical problems. As the driver tried to manage the situation, the truck swerved off course and hit the pavement, leading to the fatal accident that claimed Toyosi’s life on the spot. The truck, identified as T9404 LA, belonged to a haulage company based in Lagos. Security personnel were deployed to the scene to prevent any potential damage to the vehicle by residents or motorists.
Toyosi’s grief-stricken mother, Ade, was present at the tragic moment. Recounting the ordeal, she said, “We crossed from the Uselu market to the middle of the road on the pavement that divides the road, waiting to cross over to the other side towards S&T Barracks road where we live, when the truck veered off and hit my daughter, killing her on the spot. She was in Primary 5 and a student of Oba Ewuare Primary School. We went to buy things for my akara business when it happened.”
Meanwhile, Toyosi’s father, Mr. Ademola, who was at work during the tragedy, received a distressing call about the accident. He explained, “The truck had mechanical issues and hit my daughter standing on the pavement with her mother. Her remains are now in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) morgue, and the driver is in custody at the Textile Mill Road Police Division.”
Mr. Ademola, residing at No 46 S&T Barracks Road, opposite Uselu market, made a heartfelt plea for support from compassionate individuals and the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki. He expressed, “We need assistance to bury our child and support for our other children.”
