Bus Driver, Allegedly Pursued by FRSC Officials, Strikes and Kills POS Operator in Abuja

A female Point of Sale (POS) operator was fatally hit by a commercial bus in the Berger area of Abuja on Monday, near a Total filling station.

Witnesses indicated that the driver of the coaster bus was fleeing from officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) when the accident took place.

One commuter present during the event, who identified himself as Johnson, mentioned that the victim had arrived early for work and was walking across the road after purchasing food.

After the bus struck the woman in the course of the chase, neither the bus driver nor the FRSC officials halted at the scene, according to Johnson.

He noted that the woman remained on the ground until police from the Utako Division arrived, and by then, she was already deceased.

A bystander had recorded the incident and accompanied the police with the footage.

"The woman who was killed is a POS operator in the vicinity. She came early, bought food, and was attempting to cross near the Total filling station when the FRSC officials pursued a commercial bus at high speed," Johnson described.

"The collision caused the bus to hit the woman and toss her aside. Neither the driver nor the FRSC vehicle stopped; they continued chasing the bus at high speed.

"The victim lay on the road for several minutes with severe injuries. By the time officers arrived from Utako Division, she had succumbed to her injuries. A witness recorded the whole ordeal and later shared the footage with the police."

Another local newspaper vendor confirmed that the events transpired in the morning, stating that both the bus and the FRSC vehicle did not stop after the incident.

He recounted, "This morning, near the NNPC area opposite the Total filling station, both the FRSC vehicle and the coaster bus were speeding. The bus hit the woman and did not stop; they did not wait."

Two mechanics working nearby corroborated that the bus was actively being pursued by FRSC officials at the moment of impact.

They remarked that neither of the vehicles paused after the collision.

"Road Safety officials were trying to catch a coaster bus that operates between Mararaba and Nyanya this morning. The driver hitting the woman resulted from that chase. After the accident, neither the bus nor the FRSC vehicle stopped," they stated.

A fellow POS operator, Ola, expressed concern about the frequent vehicle pursuits by FRSC officials in the area and recounted a similar incident from the preceding Saturday that fortunately did not result in injuries due to the absence of pedestrians.

"This is where it occurred. FRSC officials are often chasing vehicles here. Last Saturday, they pursued a coaster bus, which could have seriously harmed someone had it been as busy a day as Monday."

He added, "This is not the first time we've seen such chases here. Perhaps next time they appear, we will intervene."

Felix Theman, the Federal Capital Territory Sector Commander of the FRSC, stated that the Corps is conducting an investigation into the incident.

He explained that all patrol teams operating in the Central Area, Zone 7, and surrounding areas have been called back to evaluate any possible involvement of FRSC vehicles.

"I have received a report similar to yours, and we are investigating the situation. I have summoned all patrol teams, especially those in the central area and Zone 7, to assess if our patrol units had any involvement," he noted.

"Once we ascertain the facts, a press statement will be issued regarding the outcome of our findings.

"Currently, we are probing the matter to confirm its accuracy, but we are also aware that it is common for individuals, even in a staff car, to flee when they perceive they are being pursued for an offence.

"Often, they misinterpret the scenario and block off even non-patrol vehicles. Many pickups are utilized for purposes apart from standard patrol, leading to further confusion.

"It would be premature to assume there was a patrol team pursuing someone until we can verify that fact. I also understand this area is typically very congested."