Lady Who Called Biker Kola Onifoto's Phone After Crash Reveals Road Official's Response
The tragic death of popular Nigerian biker Orowale Kolapo, widely known as Kola Onifoto, has sparked an outpouring of grief and tributes across social media platforms. Many have shared fond memories of the ex-military personnel and documentary photographer, whose life was cut short in a motorcycle accident.
Details of the Fatal Crash
Kola Onifoto was reportedly involved in a lone motorcycle crash on Sunday, March 1, while embarking on what he described as his first solo trip outside Lagos. Initial reports suggested he died at the scene, but conflicting accounts emerged regarding the timeline of his passing.
Friends later revealed on Facebook that after the accident, he was first rushed to the emergency unit of the Federal Road Safety Corps at 7UP in Ojota. He was subsequently transferred to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital in Idi-Araba, where well-wishers prayed for his recovery on social media throughout Sunday night.
Kola reportedly succumbed to his injuries in the early hours of Monday, March 2, though some friends maintained he died immediately at the crash site on Sunday.
Emotional Account from a Concerned Friend
Amid the confusion and mourning, a Nigerian woman shared her personal experience upon hearing news of the accident. In a detailed Facebook post, she described waking in the middle of the night to check her phone and seeing posts announcing Kola's death.
"I slept very early last night and woke at the middle of the night to ease myself," she wrote. "I don't know who asked me to open my Facebook. Immediately I opened my Facebook I saw posts that Kola Onifoto was dead. Immediately my heart started beating fast, I had to rush to the toilet again, headache came at once, I was shivering."
The woman explained that she and Kola were friends who communicated regularly through Facebook and WhatsApp. In her panic, she decided to call his direct phone number.
The Road Safety Officer's Response
To her surprise, a road safety officer answered Kola's phone. "I called his direct number and a road safety officer picked and said he had a fatal accident but wasn't dead," she revealed. "That was when I relaxed."
Despite this temporary relief, the woman described suffering from severe anxiety in the aftermath. "Since that last night till now I have not rested," she wrote. "I rushed out this morning and did some work then came back home to sleep small but I can't because I have panic attack."
She expressed frustration at how people announce deaths on social media without considering the impact on family and friends. "Do you people think about their family members before posting such? For God's sake you all should just stop this!" she pleaded. "It's going to take me days to get out from this mood and I need medical attention before I can sleep."
Social Media Reactions
The woman's post sparked numerous reactions from other Facebook users. Sim Ply Mynah commented simply: "It is well." Alimi Ridwan asked for updates, noting: "Please can you be updating us on the real news cuz since I have been searching online, it is only your page I saw that he is not dead, others are just using it to grab attentions."
Anastasia Kukaye added: "No mind them," expressing solidarity with the woman's frustration about premature death announcements on social media.
Remembering Kola Onifoto
Kola Onifoto was remembered by friends and followers as a passionate biker and talented photographer who documented his motorcycle journeys across Nigeria. His final video, posted hours before his death, showed him discussing road trends and safety concerns.
The conflicting reports about his death timeline highlight the challenges of information verification during emotional events, particularly when news spreads rapidly through social media channels before official confirmation.
The woman's account provides a personal perspective on how sudden death announcements affect those close to the deceased, while also revealing the role road safety officials play in communicating with concerned friends and family during emergencies.
