OYRTMA Refutes Allegation Of Tricycle Rider’s Death At UI Axis

THE Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) has dismissed as false a social media report alleging that its officials were responsible for the death of a commercial tricycle rider around the University of Ibadan axis on Wednesday, 27th August 2025.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Major Adekoya Adesagba (Rtd.), and posted on its official Facebook page on Saturday, the Authority described the claim as “unfounded, misleading, and intended to tarnish the reputation of OYRTMA.”

According to the agency, officials have been stationed at the University of Ibadan axis for the past three months, enforcing compliance with traffic light regulations with the financial support of the Oyo State Government.

The Incident

OYRTMA explained that at about 11:30 a.m. on the day in question, a commercial tricycle with registration number MNY 805 QU violated the traffic light. When flagged down, the rider allegedly attempted to escape but was later intercepted at the Preboye traffic light.

During the enforcement exercise, the rider was said to have attacked an officer by biting him, before feigning collapse in a bid to incite mob action against the traffic officials. The statement added that, while officers were distracted by the crowd, the rider suddenly rose, entered his tricycle, and sped off—before policemen from Sango Police Station arrived at the scene.

“This clearly shows that no death occurred, contrary to the malicious rumours circulating online,” the statement emphasised.

Unanswered Questions

To discredit the circulating report, the Authority posed several questions to those spreading the allegation, including:

• Who allegedly took the rider to hospital?

• Which hospital received him, and which doctor certified him dead?

• Where was the supposed corpse deposited?

• Who removed the tricycle from the scene?

• Did the police who later arrived find a corpse or a tricycle?

• Did OYRTMA officials abandon their duty post or continue with their lawful duties?

“These questions remain unanswered because the incident was deliberately staged by the tricycle rider to evade the consequences of his traffic violation,” OYRTMA stated.

OYRTMA’s Position

Reiterating its commitment to lawful enforcement, the Authority maintained that it would not be distracted by baseless accusations and urged members of the public to verify information before spreading unsubstantiated claims.