Abuja, Nigeria — A family of three died in a car crash along the Mabushi Bridge in Abuja on Wednesday, after the driver had an altercation with some touts, resulting in the crash that killed the family instantly.
It was gathered that the touts had stopped the private vehicle for flouting their rules by reportedly stopping to pick up a passenger who was a relative.
The refusal of the driver to pay the “fine” angered the touts, who then hopped in the vehicle, dragging the steering wheel and eventually causing the accident.
Subsequently, angered passersby who witnessed the scene chased down the touts, eventually setting one of them on fire, and severely injuring the other two, who were rescued and rushed to the hospital by the police.
A parallel account, however, claimed that five persons were involved in the crash – a family of two and three touts who forced themselves into the vehicle while it was in motion.
Eyewitnesses said the vehicle then collided with a painted taxi, near the Mabushi bridge, before veering off the road into a ditch.
The family reportedly died on the spot, while the three others were rescued and taken to the National Hospital for treatment.
The wreckage was consequently cleared by officers of the Mabushi Police Division.
An official statement is yet to be released by the Police Public Relations Officer of the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh.
It was reported that road traffic accidents remain a serious public safety concern in Nigeria.
In 2023 alone, the Federal Road Safety Corps recorded 5,081 fatalities, a 21% decrease from the 6,456 deaths reported in 2022. Despite this progress, the fatality rate remains alarmingly high, underscoring the ongoing urgency of road safety interventions.
The Mabushi area, located along one of Abuja’s busiest corridors linking the Central Business District with Jabi and Wuse, has been notorious for traffic gridlock, touting activities, and occasional road rage incidents.
Illegal touts operating near motor parks and bus stops in the area are known to harass private motorists and commercial drivers for alleged traffic infractions, sometimes escalating into physical confrontation.
Authorities have repeatedly warned against such extortion and harassment, but enforcement remains patchy.
In July 2024, the FCT Administration and the Directorate of Road Traffic Services announced a clampdown on illegal touts, promising to prosecute offenders to curb violence on major roads.
Incidents like the Mabushi crash raise fresh concerns about road safety, tout-related violence, and the need for effective policing to prevent avoidable loss of lives.
Margret Oshinowo|September 4, 2025
