The Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority has refuted claims circulating on social media that its personnel were responsible for the alleged death of a commercial tricycle rider at the University of Ibadan axis on Wednesday, August 27, 2025.
Chairman of the agency, Major Adekoya Adesagba (retd.), in a statement issued on Saturday in Ibadan, described the reports as “false, misleading and intended to tarnish the reputation of the authority.”
According to him, OYRTMA officials have been stationed at the UI area for months to ensure traffic compliance and orderliness. He explained that on the said date, a rider with registration number MNY 805 QU ran a red light and resisted arrest.
“At about 11:30 am, the tricycle rider willfully violated the traffic light. When flagged down, he attempted to escape recklessly before being apprehended at the Preboye traffic light,” Adesagba stated.
He further narrated that in the course of the arrest, “the rider bit one of our officers and suddenly pretended to have collapsed in a desperate attempt to incite mob action.
However, as the crowd gathered, he stood up, jumped into his tricycle, and sped away before policemen from Sango Police Station arrived.”
The OYRTMA boss dismissed insinuations that the rider died in the incident, questioning the credibility of the claims.
“Who took the allegedly ‘dead’ rider to the hospital? Which doctor certified him dead? Where was his body deposited? These questions remain unanswered because the incident was staged to evade the consequences of his traffic violation,” he said.
Adesagba assured residents that OYRTMA would not be distracted from its lawful duties, urging the public to verify information before spreading it.
“We remain committed to enforcing road laws responsibly and safeguarding the lives of all road users. Baseless allegations will not deter us from carrying out our statutory responsibilities,” he concluded.