A middle-aged trader, Augustina Oyadi, is currently receiving treatment at the Female Orthopaedic and General Surgical Ward of the Federal Medical Centre Asaba, Delta State, after she was allegedly knocked down by a tricycle rider who later abandoned her at the hospital and fled.

Oyadi, a foodstuff seller operating along the busy Iboza Junction–UBA axis in Asaba, sustained a serious leg injury in the incident, which reportedly occurred on Wednesday afternoon.

Eyewitnesses said the tricycle rider—described as a young Hausa man popularly referred to as “Aboki”—initially tried to assist the injured woman after the accident.

He reportedly rushed her to St. Joseph Hospital Asaba for treatment, but due to the severity of her injury, medical personnel at the private hospital referred her to the Federal Medical Centre for specialist care.

Sources said the rider later transported Oyadi to the federal facility but allegedly abandoned her at the female orthopaedic and surgical ward before quietly leaving the hospital premises, leaving the victim and her family members stranded.

Speaking from her hospital bed, the visibly distressed trader lamented her condition and the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“I am in serious pain. The doctor said they will treat me and that I may have to spend about ten days here,” she said.

Oyadi said the tricycle rider disappeared shortly after dropping her at the hospital, leaving her relatives to grapple with the medical situation and the financial burden of her treatment.

Family members confirmed that a complaint has been lodged at the A Division Police Station Asaba in a bid to track down the fleeing rider and ensure he is held accountable.

Although the spokesperson of the Delta State Police Command, Bright Edafe, could not be reached for comment at the time of filing this report, a senior police officer familiar with the case confirmed that an investigation is ongoing.

“We are already investigating the matter. The suspect will be apprehended wherever he is within the state,” the officer said on condition of anonymity.

For Oyadi and her family, however, the immediate concern remains her recovery—and the hope that the rider responsible for her injury will soon be brought to justice.

(The Guardian)