A vehicle in the convoy of wife of the Nigerian president, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has killed a seven years old girl identified as Saratu Lawal in Akure, Ondo State, SaharaReporters has exclusively gathered.

Mrs Tinubu was in Akure on Thursday to flag off the South-West leg of the Renewed Hope Initiative to improve the well-being of women and girls across the country and distribute no fewer than 10,000 professional kits — comprising Crocs and scrubs — to nurses and midwives in the South-West region.

Multiple sources told SaharaReporters that a butter coloured hilux in the First Lady’s convoy knocked Saratu around Oba Ile while the president’s wife was moving from the airport to the venue of the event.

“A seven years old girl by name Saratu Lawal, and a pupil of Islamiyar Arabic School, Shasha, was knocked down by a butter coloured hilux in the government convoy of her Excellency, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is on official visit to Ondo State,” the source told SaharaReporters.

“The incident occurred today, Thursday 17th April, 2025 in Oba Ile, before the Oba Ile Central Mosque.

“It claimed the life of the child as every effort to save her could not yield the desired result even when she was rushed to the primary healthcare in Oba Ile.”

When contacted, Malam Lawali, the father of the deceased, who is a trader at Oba Ile market, said he has “handed everything to God.”

SaharaReporters learnt the lifeless body of the child has been handed over to the family for burial in line with Islamic injunction.

Calls put across by SaharaReporters to Ondo Police command’s spokesperson, DSP Ayanlade Olushola were not picked nor returned.

Text message sent to his line was yet to be replied as at the time of this report.

No fewer than 32 cows have been reportedly died of poisoning around the Tafi Gana junction area of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The incident happened on Wednesday in an open field along the Zawura-Jebbu Miango axis, between Dutsen Kura and Jebbu Miango, a region historically prone to ethno-farmer-herder tension.

Samaila Nuhu, the affected herder, told Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, that his animals began showing strange symptoms after grazing in the area, prompting suspicions of deliberate poisoning.

The Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), in Bassa LGA, Ya’u Idris, also confirmed the incident to Daily Trust.

The chairman said the incident occurred around 4:30pm when the cattle were grazing in the area, adding that poison had been placed on garden eggs, which were scattered around the grazing area and eaten by the cattle.

Idris further explained that they had reported the incident to all security agencies including the GOC 3 Division, DSD and police, adding the GOC had visited the scene of the incident.

“We have about 78 cattle grazing in the area. Currently, 36 have been killed, and the remaining 42 are in critical condition. It’s uncertain what will happen to them due to the poisoned garden eggs scattered around.

“We’ve informed the GOC 3 Division, and he visited the scene. He urged us not to take the law into our hands and promised to investigate those behind the incident and have them arrested,” the chairman narrated.

He, however, called on members of the Fulani community to remain calm and not take the law into their hands, hoping that the security forces are on top of the situation.

The poisoning of the cattle came barely two days after 52 people were killed and many others injured in Zikke village, in the same Bassa LGA. Many houses were razed by the perpetrators.

Members of the attacked community accused the herding community of being responsible for the killings on Monday, an accusation that was denied by the herders.

The spokesman of Operation Safe Haven, Major Samson Zhakom, did not respond to a message by our correspondent on the incident at press time.

Night grazing banned

Two days after attacks on Plateau villages, which led to loss of lives and destruction of property, Governor Caleb Mutfwang on Wednesday banned night grazing, transportation of cattle and movements of motorcycles beyond 7pm.

The ban is one of the measures taken by the state government to prevent further conflicts between herding and farming communities.

The governor, who announced the ban in a statewide broadcast on Wednesday, said: “In the late hours of Sunday, April 13, the peace of Zikke village in Bassa LGA was shattered by a brutal attack that claimed the lives of innocent men, women and children.

“This comes while we still mourn the tragic loss of over 50 lives in Bokkos. These attacks are calculated, persistent and painful.

“In response to these attacks, the following measures take effect from Wednesday, April 16th: Night grazing is strictly prohibited. Transportation of cattle after 7pm is banned, and motorcycle movement is restricted from 7pm to 6am statewide.

“I call on traditional rulers and youth leaders to revive local vigilante patrols in partnership with security forces. We must be united in protecting our land, guided by justice and law. Let us remain calm, vigilant and united.”

Mr Isaac Aregbesola, a Senior Editor with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), has announced the death of his wife, Mrs. Wumi Aregbesola (Nee Adebayo).

Aregbesola in a statement said his wife, 52, died on Friday, April 11, 2025

The editor described his late wife as a pillar of strength, support, and a source of inspiration to her family, friends, and colleagues.

“Her kind-hearted nature, compassion, and generosity touched the lives of countless individuals, making her an exceptional woman who will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

”Throughout her life, she demonstrated exceptional dedication and commitment to humanity service,” he said.

Describing her as a God-fearing woman, a great manager of resources, and a devoted wife, Aregbesola said his late wife’s life was a testament to humility, kindness, and enduring service.

He noted that Wumi was a seasoned accountant and entrepreneur who impacted positively on the lives of everyone who came across her.