The Ekiti State Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) and sister security agencies have launched a manhunt for a yet-to-be identified driver who injured a VIO officer.
The victim, Adewale Ojo, narrowly escaped death by a whisker when he was hit by the Ilorin-bound 18-seater commercial bus driver on Monday, 17th July 2023.
The incident, which occurred at Ayegbaju-Ekiti, Oye local government area of the state, resulted in tension and apprehension as the hit-and-run driver escaped from the scene.
An eyewitness told journalists that the VIO officer, with the rank of Assistant Inspection Officer (AIO), attached to the Ikole-Ekiti zonal office of the organisation, had led other officers to a routine operation in the area when the incident took place.
The eyewitness said the victim was standing on the road and waved down the commercial bus, which was travelling at a high speed, coming from Ifaki-Ekiti and heading towards Ikole-Ekiti route.
The unidentified driver, who is currently on the wanted list of the organisation and the police, was said to have hit the officer, causing him to sustain serious injuries.
He was immediately rushed to the health facility in the community before being transferred to Ekiti State Specialist Hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment.
Narrating his ordeal from the hospital bed, the victim said, “I was with my other colleagues in Ayegbaju-Ekiti during a routine exercise which we normally carry out every Monday of the week. We were at the damaged portion of the road when the Kwara bus driver was coming from Ifaki-Ekiti axis.”
“Immediately he saw us on the road, he increased his speed and my colleagues, who had noticed him, fled. But before I could notice, he had already hit me. Immediately, I became unconscious and was rushed from the scene to a nearby hospital,” the witness said.
“None of us could note down his number or face, neither could any of my colleagues identify him. I woke up in the hospital with bruises all over my body, I am in pain and very weak. I had no intention to challenge him. It happened so suddenly that I could not imagine,” he said.
