A tragic incident took place in Oyo State when a traffic officer, Kehinde Fabunmi, was killed by a reckless driver in Ibadan. Fabunmi, a Level 4 officer with the Oyo State Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA), was hit on Saturday by a driver who disobeyed a traffic light at Agbowo, in the Ibadan North Local Government Area.
The driver, who was in a black 4matic Benz with the number plate LSD 862 JS, attempted to flee the scene but was later apprehended by OYRTMA officers and police. Fabunmi had been doing his duty to ensure safety on the roads when the incident occurred.
Fabunmi sustained severe head injuries from the impact and was rushed to a nearby hospital in Orogun before being transferred to another facility in Ibadan, where he was unfortunately declared dead.
In response to the incident, the Oyo State Government vowed to prosecute the driver. The Chairman of OYRTMA, Adekoya Adesagba, condemned the killing and praised the quick action of officers in capturing the suspect. He also expressed condolences to the family of the deceased.
Adesagba stated that traffic officers face dangers every day in their effort to keep roads safe. He emphasized that anyone who assaults or disrespects officers will face severe punishment. The driver is now in police custody, and his case has been taken to court, though it was adjourned until Thursday.
This incident serves as a reminder of the risks traffic officers face daily and the need for all drivers to respect the law and drive responsibly to prevent such tragedies.