A female police inspector, Mercy Bassey, has died after she was knocked down by a hit-and-run driver while on route-lining duty ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s arrival in Lagos on Tuesday.

The officer was attached to the Ikotun Divisional Police Station.

According to a security source, Bassey was hit by a black Highlander SUV while crossing the Third Mainland Bridge at the Adekunle Intersection, inward Lagos Island. The incident occurred around 2:30 pm as she performed her duties for the presidential movement.

The source said the registration number of the vehicle and the identity of the driver remain unknown. The SUV sped off after hitting the officer. Patrol teams on duty chased the vehicle but it escaped to an unknown destination.

Bassey was rushed to the General Hospital, Ebute Metta, for treatment but reportedly died while awaiting medical attention. Her body is to be moved to a morgue in Yaba for preservation.

Police are working to obtain CCTV footage from the area in an effort to identify the vehicle and the driver. The spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command confirmed the incident but declined further comment.

The tragedy occurred amid heightened security operations linked to the President’s return to Lagos from his overseas trip.

Photo credit: Punch Newspaper