Mercy Bassey was reportedly struck by black Highlander SUV on Third Mainland Bridge as police prepared for Tinubu’s arrival
LAGOS — A female police inspector, identified as Mercy Bassey, has died after she was reportedly knocked down by a hit-and-run driver while performing route-lining duties ahead of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s arrival in Lagos.
According to security sources cited by IBN News the incident occurred at about 2:30pm on Tuesday at the Adekunle Intersection on the Third Mainland Bridge, inward Lagos Island.
Bassey, who was attached to the Ikotun Divisional Police Station, had reportedly been deployed for route-lining duties in preparation for the President’s movement.
The officer was said to have been crossing the bridge when she was struck by a black Highlander SUV.
The vehicle reportedly sped away immediately after the incident. Patrol officers on duty were said to have pursued the vehicle, but the driver escaped and had not been identified as of the time of the reports.
The policewoman was reportedly rushed to General Hospital, Ebute Metta, for medical attention but later died while awaiting treatment.
Her remains were expected to be moved to a morgue in Yaba for preservation.
The Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed that the incident occurred but declined to provide further details at the time of reporting.
Police authorities were also said to be making efforts to identify the vehicle and its driver, including seeking CCTV footage from the area.
The incident occurred amid heightened security preparations in Lagos for President Tinubu’s return to the state from his working visit abroad. The President’s aircraft reportedly landed at the Presidential Wing of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, at about 6:22pm on Tuesday.
As of the latest reports, the registration number of the Highlander SUV and the identity and whereabouts of the driver remained unknown.
The circumstances surrounding the collision and the subsequent police investigation are expected to determine how the incident occurred and identify the driver involved.
