A high-speed road accident involving a commercial bus has left several people dead and many others injured along the Abuja-Makurdi Highway on Thursday. The bus, operated by the Flight Transport Company, was involved in the deadly crash, which has sparked outrage and concern among road users and Nigerians at large.
The accident took place in broad daylight, and a video that later circulated on social media showed the devastating aftermath. Lifeless bodies of passengers were seen lying on the road, while bystanders could be heard wailing in despair. In the video, it was evident that the crash was severe, as many victims, both men and women, were motionless on the road, some of them trapped inside the bus. The scene was chaotic and heart-wrenching, with people in the area struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.
According to reports from witnesses, the crash occurred after the driver of the commercial bus, which was traveling from Abuja to Makurdi, allegedly drove at high speed. In the video circulating on social medias, one of the witnesses lamented about the reckless driving of the bus driver, claiming that he had been concerned about the driver’s speed before the incident. The witness could be heard saying, “When this driver overtook us, I was complaining about his speed. This Flight Bus, I was complaining. Just look at it. I was complaining about the speed of this very driver.”
The alarming situation has raised concerns among Nigerians about the dangerous driving habits of some commercial bus drivers, especially those operating along busy highways like the Abuja-Makurdi road. The frequent reports of accidents caused by reckless driving and speeding have prompted a renewed call for authorities to step up enforcement of traffic laws, with many citizens demanding that stricter measures be put in place to prevent such tragedies.
The Abuja-Makurdi Highway is a major road that connects the Nigerian capital, Abuja, with Makurdi, the capital of Benue State. It serves as an important route for commuters traveling between these two cities and several other towns in the region. However, this highway, like many others in Nigeria, has been notorious for accidents, with reports of dangerous driving, poor road conditions, and lack of proper traffic enforcement often making headlines.
Commercial buses, like the one involved in Thursday’s crash, are a popular mode of transport in Nigeria. They provide affordable transportation for a large number of Nigerians, especially those who cannot afford private cars. However, many of these buses are often driven by drivers who speed excessively in a bid to make up for lost time or increase the number of trips they can make in a day. The result is often tragic, with innocent passengers paying the ultimate price for such recklessness.
Following the tragic incident, Nigerians have expressed their anger and frustration over the continued recklessness of commercial drivers. Social media platforms have been flooded with messages calling for better road safety practices and stricter enforcement of traffic regulations.
One social media user wrote, “When will this madness end? Commercial bus drivers drive like they’re in a race. How many more people need to die for this to stop?” Another user posted, “Every time I travel by road, I’m always worried about the speed at which some of these drivers go. Something needs to be done about it. This is heartbreaking.”
While it is not yet clear what caused the crash, many have pointed to the driver’s speed as a significant factor. Speeding is one of the leading causes of road accidents in Nigeria, and it is especially dangerous on highways, where vehicles are traveling at high speeds, often without sufficient enforcement of traffic laws. Experts have repeatedly warned that speeding not only increases the likelihood of accidents but also raises the severity of injuries when crashes do occur.
