Road carnage: Hit-and-run drivers leave trail of deaths, grieving families

In Nigeria, hit-and-run crashes have left families devastated by sudden deaths, life-altering injuries, and unresolved questions. On November 25, 2024, motorists and pedestrians on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway were met with a harrowing sight near Magboro. A woman, likely in her 30s, lay motionless on the expressway after being struck by a driver who fled the scene.

The victim, later identified as a hairdresser, had haircare containers and weaves scattered around her, suggesting she had recently gone shopping for hair products. Although she was still breathing, it remained unclear whether she suffered internal injuries requiring immediate medical attention.

After approximately 20 minutes of frantic efforts to revive her, a commercial bus driver offered to transport the victim to the nearest hospital in Ibafo, while others helped carry her. However, it remained uncertain if she was resuscitated at the hospital as none of the bystanders could be reached for confirmation.

Meanwhile, tragedy struck Mayowa Afinni, a first-class graduate from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, who aspired to become a successful musician. On September 12, while working as a dispatch rider, Afinni's life was tragically cut short when he collided with a red Lexus ES 350. The two occupants of the Lexus fled the scene, and the driver, Ebenezer Oluwaseyi, was subsequently apprehended.

Afinni was pronounced dead at the scene, and his remains were taken to a general hospital in a Federal Road Safety Corps van. The 22-year-old faced charges of murder, property damage, reckless driving, and driving without a valid license in an Abeokuta court. The trial was adjourned until September 28 for further proceedings.