A tragic scene unfolded on Wednesday afternoon at Mabushi Bridge, Abuja, when a family of three lost their lives in a fatal crash after suspected touts, popularly called “agberos,” attempted to hijack their vehicle.
The deceased have been identified as Mr. Emeka Ehekweme, his wife, and their child. According to eyewitnesses, the family was returning from a shopping trip in a Toyota Highlander when the incident occurred near the Berger Roundabout.
Trouble began after the driver briefly stopped to pick up a relative, a move that reportedly angered the touts who often operate illegally in the area. The hoodlums pursued the vehicle and, in a violent bid to extort money, one of them forced his way inside and attempted to seize the steering wheel from the driver.
“In the process of struggling for control, the Highlander veered off, rammed into a parked green Mazda taxi, and crashed into the concrete pillar under the bridge before plunging into the drainage,” an eyewitness recounted.
The impact killed all three occupants of the SUV instantly. The wreckage was later recovered by emergency responders.
Outraged by the tragedy, passersby descended on the suspects, lynching one of them on the spot. Police operatives from the Mabushi Division rescued the remaining two, who sustained severe injuries and were rushed to the National Hospital, Abuja.
Confirming the incident, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command said investigations are ongoing. The corpses of the deceased family have been deposited at the mortuary.
The incident has since sparked public anger, with residents decrying the menace of touts in Abuja. A witness, Moses, expressed his frustration: “Abuja citizens are tired of these ‘agberos.’ Now, a family of three is gone. How can someone own a car and still be forced to pay touts just to move freely?”
Mabushi and Berger corridors are notorious for the activities of touts, despite repeated government pledges to curb their operations. The latest tragedy has renewed calls on the FCT Administration and the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, to take decisive action and permanently rid the city of touts.
