Mob sets trucks ablaze after cyclist, passenger’s death

A mob set two trucks ablaze at the weekend following a fatal accident involving a commercial motorcyclist and his passenger near the Pyakasa junction, along the Airport Road in Lugbe, Abuja. A witness, Raphael Azuka, said the incident occurred around 11.12am when a motorcyclist, traveling against traffic, veered into the path of a truck loaded […]

A mob set two trucks ablaze at the weekend following a fatal accident involving a commercial motorcyclist and his passenger near the Pyakasa junction, along the Airport Road in Lugbe, Abuja.

A witness, Raphael Azuka, said the incident occurred around 11.12am when a motorcyclist, traveling against traffic, veered into the path of a truck loaded with sand. According to Azuka, the truck driver was traveling at a high speed and was unable to stop in time, crushing both the cyclist and his passenger. Both victims died instantly.

He said following the accident, a mob—comprised primarily of other motorcyclists from the Pyakasa junction—mobilized at the scene.

According to him, upon discovering that the victims had died, the group set the sand truck on fire.

Azuka added that a second truck traveling in the same direction was also flagged down and set ablaze by the protesters.

“The situation worsened when other truck drivers, hearing of the incident, arrived at the scene and began confiscating motorcycles from the riders in retaliation,” Azuka said.

Police operatives were eventually alerted and arrived to bring the situation under control.

He said the truck drivers and their assistants (conductors) reportedly fled the area to avoid being lynched by the mob.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh, said she would investigate the matter and provide an update. However, she had not yet reverted at the time of filing this report.