FAMILY OF THREE TRAGICALLY KILLED AFTER BEING CHASED BY TOUTS IN ABUJA
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BY OWOLABI OLUWADARA
A trio of individuals tragically perished in a vehicular accident along the Mabushi Bridge in Abuja on Wednesday, following an altercation between the driver and several touts, which culminated in the collision that claimed the lives of the family instantaneously.
Our correspondent learned that the touts had halted the private automobile for allegedly violating their regulations by reportedly stopping to collect a passenger who was a family member.
The driver’s refusal to remit the purported “fine” incited the ire of the touts, who then forcibly entered the vehicle, wresting control of the steering wheel and ultimately precipitating the accident.
Consequently, enraged bystanders who observed the incident pursued the touts, resulting in one being set ablaze, while the other two sustained severe injuries and were rescued and transported to the hospital by law enforcement.
An alternate report, however, asserted that five individuals were implicated in the crash – comprising a family of two and three touts who forcibly entered the vehicle while it was in operation.
Witnesses indicated that the vehicle subsequently collided with a marked taxi near the Mabushi bridge before veering off the road into a ditch.
It was reported that the family succumbed to their injuries at the scene, whereas the three others were rescued and conveyed to the National Hospital for medical attention. Our correspondent is still awaiting any official remarks from the Police Public Relations Officer of the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh.
According to the media, road traffic accidents continue to pose a significant public safety issue in Nigeria.
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In 2023, the Federal Road Safety Corps documented 5,081 fatalities, reflecting a 21% reduction from the 6,456 deaths reported in 2022. Despite this improvement, the fatality rate remains distressingly elevated, emphasizing the pressing need for road safety measures.
The Mabushi area, situated along one of Abuja’s busiest thoroughfares connecting the Central Business District with Jabi and Wuse, has gained notoriety for traffic congestion, touting activities, and sporadic road rage occurrences.
Unauthorized touts operating near motor parks and bus stops in the vicinity are notorious for intimidating private motorists and commercial drivers over alleged traffic violations, occasionally escalating into physical altercations.
Authorities have consistently issued warnings against such extortion and intimidation; however, enforcement remains inconsistent.
In July 2024, the FCT Administration and the Directorate of Road Traffic Services announced a crackdown on illegal touts, pledging to prosecute violators in an effort to mitigate violence on major thoroughfares.
Incidents like the Mabushi crash intensify concerns regarding road safety, tout-related violence, and the necessity for effective law enforcement to avert preventable loss of life.
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