A female Point of Sale, POS, operator in Abuja was killed on Monday after being struck by a commercial bus that was fleeing from the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC.
The accident occurred near the Total filling station in the Berger area of the Federal Capital Territory.
Eyewitnesses said the coaster bus driver was being chased by FRSC officials when the fatal collision happened.
One commuter who witnessed the incident explained that the victim had arrived early for work and was crossing the road after purchasing food when the bus hit her. He added that neither the bus driver nor the FRSC officials stopped after the collision.
He said the woman remained on the road until police officers from the Utako Division arrived, by which time she had died. A bystander recorded the incident and later handed the footage to the police.
He said, “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.
“In the process, 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.
“The body lay on the road for several minutes with serious injuries. The woman had died by the time police officers from Utako Division arrived at the scene. Someone recorded the entire incident and showed it to the police. I saw him leave with them.”
Another witness confirmed that both the coaster bus and the FRSC vehicle drove off after the crash.
He said, “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. They did not wait.”
Two mechanics working nearby also confirmed that the bus was being chased by FRSC officials when it hit the woman, and that neither vehicle stopped afterward.
They said, “Road Safety officials were pursuing a coaster bus that plies the Mararaba–Nyanya axis this morning. It was the chase that caused the driver to hit the woman. After the collision, both vehicles did not stop.”
Another POS operator in the area stated that FRSC officers often chase vehicles in that location and recalled a similar chase on Saturday, January 24, which did not result in injury because fewer pedestrians were present.
“This is where the incident happened. FRSC officials often carry out such chases in this area. On Saturday, they chased a coaster bus here, and it could have killed someone if it had been a busy day like Monday.
“This is not the first time they have chased vehicles in this place. Maybe next time we see them here, we will chase them away,” he said.
The Federal Capital Territory Sector Commander of the FRSC, Felix Theman, confirmed that the Corps is investigating the incident.
He said all patrol teams operating in the Central Area, Zone 7, and surrounding locations have been recalled to determine whether any FRSC patrol vehicle was involved.
Theman said, “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.
“Once our investigation establishes the facts, we will issue a press statement to that effect.
“At the moment, we are looking into the matter to verify its accuracy. However, what we also know is 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.
“Sometimes they even block the car, even when no patrol is being conducted.
“Most of the time, people don’t differentiate between a patrol vehicle and other vehicles. Many pickups, for example, are used for activities other than regular patrol.
“Until we can confirm whether it was indeed a patrol team, it would be premature to claim that a patrol unit was pursuing someone. I also understand that this particular area is always very busy.”
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