By Joy Odor Reportcircle News
The usually busy Keffi–Abuja Highway turned into a corridor of death Thursday as seven persons were crushed in a fatal crash that has now triggered outrage, a mob attack and an official high-level probe.
The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed, broke his silence hours after the tragedy, describing the incident as “painful and devastating,” insisting that no loss of life on Nigeria’s highways is acceptable.
The fatal crash occurred at Angwan Jarmi axis of the Keffi–Abuja Highway. Preliminary findings point to a lone vehicle allegedly driven at excessive speed.
The vehicle reportedly lost control, veered into the opposite lane and smashed violently snuffing life out of seven occupants.
But the tragedy did not end there.
Rescue operatives of the FRSC, mobilised swiftly after distress calls, arrived at a charged and emotional scene.
What followed was a dramatic escalation. Some aggrieved members of the public, including commercial motorcycle operators, reportedly vented their anger on the Keffi Unit Command in a mob attack that heightened tension in the area.
It took the rapid intervention of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Army to restore calm and prevent a total breakdown of law and order.
Their reinforcement, authorities said, was crucial in stabilising the volatile situation and protecting lives and property.
Amid the storm, the Corps Marshal moved quickly to douse rising suspicion and speculation.
While early reports finger speeding and loss of control as likely causes, Mohammed has ordered a “comprehensive and transparent” investigation into every circumstance surrounding the crash including allegations of possible patrol-related factors.
In a firm but measured tone, he assured Nigerians that the Corps would neither be hasty in apportioning blame nor dismissive of public concerns.
Any officer found to have violated operational standards, he warned, will face the full weight of internal regulations.
The Corps also appealed for calm, warning that violence against rescue and enforcement personnel only weakens collective efforts to make highways safer.
Thursday’s tragedy once again throws a harsh spotlight on reckless driving and rising tensions on Nigeria’s highways.
For the families of the seven victims, the pain is raw and irreversible. For authorities, the pressure is mounting to deliver answers and accountability.
As investigations commence, Nigerians now wait for clarity in a case that has left blood on the asphalt and anger in the air.
