From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
Residents of Ilorin were thrown into mourning recently after a young boy was killed in a hit-and-run accident along the Ilorin-Ogbomosho road, raising fresh concerns over road safety and the inadequacy of emergency medical response in Kwara State.
The tragic incident occurred around 8:46 pm when the boy reportedly alighted from a commercial tricycle and attempted to cross the road.
According to eyewitness Marshal Alaro, a speeding truck suddenly appeared and struck the child with force, leaving him critically injured on the roadside.
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In a heartfelt post on social media, Alaro recounted the desperate attempt to save the boy’s life. “We rushed him to the hospital immediately and joined the doctors in their efforts to stabilize him. Unfortunately, we lost him.
“The doctors told us they had no specialist to handle the head injuries. They only gave him first aid and referred us to General Hospital Oke Oyi. This is a wake-up call for the government to deploy the right personnel to our hospitals. We can’t keep losing young lives because of a lack of emergency care”, he wrote.
Confirming the incident, Kwara State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Mufutau Irekeola, said investigations were ongoing.
“Yes, it’s true. When we got the distress call, our team responded immediately. We are working to identify the victim and bring the hit-and-run driver to justice,” he told journalist
He also called for greater responsibility from motorists, especially at night. “Road safety is everyone’s duty. Drivers must be cautious and look out for pedestrians. Many of these accidents are avoidable if traffic rules are followed and if everyone drives responsibly.”
The incident has sparked renewed calls from residents and civil society groups for better road safety enforcement and improved emergency care infrastructure across the state.
