A lecturer at the Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State, Mrs Kemi Emmanuel, has been killed by a hit-and-run truck. Mrs Emmanuel, who taught in the Theatre Arts Department, was killed on Wednesday after closing from school while on her way home in Felele, near the university campus.

The Guardian learnt that students, staff, and lecturers at the university have become casualties of similar incidents, especially on the two major highways that connect the institution.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Lokoja confirmed the tragic accident. Mr. Tenimu Etuku, FRSC Sector Commander, described the incident as very sad and unfortunate.

The late Emmanuel was described as a well-respected and admired member of the Department of Theatre Arts. Etuku said the accident occurred around 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday when she fell off a commercial motorcycle, popularly called Okada, after being hit by a running truck along the highway in Lokoja metropolis.

“When the accident happened, our rescue operation team responded timely and quickly rushed the victim to Kogi State Specialist Hospital, where she was confirmed dead. The corpse has been deposited at the hospital’s mortuary,” he said. He expressed shock at the okada rider’s attitude, who reportedly zoomed off under the guise of chasing the hit-and-run truck.

The sector commander cautioned okada riders against engaging in confrontations with other vehicles on the highway to avoid such unfortunate incidents and save the lives of innocent passengers.