Seven people have been killed in a road crash on the busy Keffi–Abuja highway, sparking a wave of public anger that led to an attack on a government safety office. The incident occurred on Thursday at Angwan Jarmi, a settlement along the main artery connecting central Nigeria to the capital, Abuja. According to preliminary reports from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), a single vehicle lost control while travelling at excessive speed, veered into the opposite lane, and crashed.
Violent aftermath
The tragedy quickly escalated as local residents and commercial motorcyclists gathered at the scene. Despite the arrival of rescue teams, tensions boiled over. The FRSC reported that its personnel were met with hostility, which culminated in a mob attack on the Keffi Unit Command office.
The Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, described the loss of life as “painful and devastating,” but also called for calm following the unrest.”The Corps acknowledges the depth of public emotion that often follows fatal road crashes,” the FRSC said in a statement. “Violence against rescue and enforcement personnel only undermines collective efforts to safeguard lives.”
Investigation launched
While officials initially blamed speeding for the accident, the FRSC has ordered a “comprehensive and transparent” probe into the circumstances. This investigation will specifically look into allegations of “patrol-related factors”—a reference to public concerns that a pursuit or road safety operation may have contributed to the crash.Key points of the investigation:Speeding: Whether the vehicle exceeded the limit before the driver lost control.Personnel conduct: Whether FRSC officers on patrol followed standard operational procedures.Public unrest: The factors that led to the escalation of violence against the unit command.The Nigeria Police and the Army were deployed to the area to restore order and prevent further clashes.Road safety under scrutinyNigeria’s highways are among the most dangerous in West Africa, with high rates of fatal accidents often attributed to poor road maintenance, speeding, and overloaded vehicles.
The FRSC has promised that any personnel found to have acted outside of regulations will be held accountable, as it seeks to rebuild trust with a frustrated public.
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