Tragic Incident in Abuja as Speeding Bus Kills POS Operator During Alleged FRSC Pursuit
A devastating road accident in the Federal Capital Territory has claimed the life of a female Point of Sale operator, with eyewitnesses alleging that Federal Road Safety Corps officials were chasing the commercial vehicle involved. The incident occurred on Monday morning near the Total filling station in the Berger area, sending shockwaves through the local community.
Eyewitness Accounts Describe Horrific Scene
According to multiple eyewitnesses, the tragedy unfolded when a coaster bus traveling at high speed struck the woman as she attempted to cross the road. Johnson, a commuter who witnessed the incident, provided detailed testimony about what transpired. "The woman who was killed is a POS operator in the area. She came very early, went to buy food, and was trying to cross near the Total filling station when officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps were chasing a commercial coaster bus at high speed," he narrated.
Johnson added that after the collision, neither the bus driver nor the FRSC officials stopped to render assistance. "The coaster bus hit the woman and threw her to the other side of the road. The driver did not stop. The FRSC vehicle also did not stop. They continued chasing the coaster bus at high speed," he explained. The victim reportedly remained on the road with serious injuries for several minutes until police officers from the Utako Division arrived, by which time she had already died.
Multiple Sources Confirm Details
Other witnesses in the area corroborated these accounts. A newspaper vendor confirmed the incident occurred in the morning near the Total filling station, stating that both vehicles continued driving after the collision. "The incident happened this morning around the NNPC area opposite the Total filling station. The FRSC vehicle and the coaster bus were moving at high speed. The coaster bus hit the woman and continued. None of the vehicles stopped," he said.
Two mechanics working opposite the filling station provided additional context, explaining that the bus was being chased by FRSC officials when it struck the woman. They emphasized that neither vehicle stopped after the incident. Another POS operator in the area, identified as Ola, revealed that FRSC officials frequently chase vehicles along that route and recalled a similar incident on Saturday that fortunately didn't result in casualties due to lower pedestrian traffic.
FRSC Response and Investigation
In response to the incident, Federal Capital Territory Sector Commander of the FRSC, Felix Theman, announced that the Corps has launched an investigation. "I received a report similar to yours, and we are currently investigating the matter. I have recalled all patrol teams, particularly within the central area here, Zone 7, and surrounding areas, to determine whether any of our patrol units were actually involved," he stated.
Theman cautioned against premature conclusions, noting that "there are many instances where, even when I use a staff car, if someone commits an offence or runs a red light, they often assume that anyone in a vehicle is trying to apprehend them." He emphasized the need to differentiate between patrol vehicles and other official vehicles, adding that the area in question is typically very busy with traffic.
The Sector Commander promised that once the investigation establishes the facts, the FRSC will issue an official press statement. This tragic incident has raised serious questions about road safety enforcement procedures and their potential consequences in densely populated urban areas.
