A young Nigerian graduate’s celebration of academic success has turned into a nightmare after a reckless Dangote truck driver rammed into her just days after she completed her Higher National Diploma (HND) in Marketing at Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State.
The victim, Otanor Ruth Bodom, lost one leg to the accident and now faces the possibility of losing the other, as her family accuses both Dangote Group and the police of negligence and a cover-up.
The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday, shortly after Bodom left the school premises.
According to her sister, Josephina Otabor, the driver — described by witnesses as underage and without a valid licence — attempted to flee the scene but was chased down and stopped by commercial motorcycle riders.
“Police preliminary investigations show that the driver was not licensed to drive. How could they hand such a huge truck to a small boy? Why would Dangote, of all people, employ an unlicensed driver? This is exploitation, just to save costs,” Josephina lamented.
The victim was first rushed to Hadiza Hospital in Jetu before being transferred to Irua Teaching Hospital, Edo, where she remains in critical condition. The motorcycle rider carrying her at the time of the accident is also said to be in a critical state.
Eyewitnesses said the accident happened within the school environment. After the truck was intercepted, it was taken to the police station at Ibie in Auchi.
However, Bodom’s family alleges a police cover-up, claiming there has been no update on the driver’s arrest or the progress of the investigation.
“Besides parking the truck in front of the police station, there is no information about the driver, and the police are not telling us anything,” a relative alleged.
The Edo State Police Command spokesperson, SP Yamu Moses Joel, however denied any cover-up.
He said that the driver had already been charged to court, where he pleaded guilty to three of the four-count charge against him. Joel added that the matter had been adjourned to August 21.
Dangote Cement Plc, in a statement on Thursday pledged comprehensive medical care and compensation for Mrs. Otabor.
The company said that senior officials and its insurance team immediately visited the scene of the accident, met with law enforcement, and later went to see the victim and her family at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital.
“Following the recent road accident in Auchi, Edo State, involving one of our trucks, which sadly resulted in injury to Mrs. Ruth Otabor, senior officials from Dangote Cement Plc, together with our Insurance team, promptly visited the scene, engaged with law enforcement authorities, and visited the victim and her family at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State.
This action reflects our unwavering commitment to the well-being of those affected. We are ensuring full support for Mrs. Otabor, including comprehensive medical care and appropriate compensation, in line with Dangote Group’s welfare policy.
Our thoughts remain with Mrs. Ruth Otabor and her loved ones, and we wish her a full and speedy recovery,” the statement read.