A routine traffic assignment turned fatal after a mixer truck lost control and rammed into police personnel along the busy Sani Abacha Expressway near the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja, leaving one officer dead and another injured.
Witnesses said the truck, reportedly moving at high speed, veered off its lane before crashing, causing chaos on the road and forcing motorists to scramble for safety.
The FCT Police Command confirmed that the truck was operated by a driver identified as Salman Usman, an employee of a Wuse Zone 5–5-based construction firm.
He was arrested immediately after the crash, while the damaged vehicles were recovered for mechanical assessment and forensic inspection.
Investigators are exploring whether brake failure or reckless driving may have triggered the incident.
According to authorities, the surviving officer is receiving treatment, and doctors described his condition as stable.
“This incident is a stark reminder of the risks officers encounter daily in the line of duty,” a senior police official noted, adding that managing chaotic traffic routes in the capital remains one of the force’s most demanding tasks.
FCT Commissioner of Police, Miller D. Dantawaye, expressed sadness over the loss, sending condolences to the family and colleagues of the deceased officer.
He assured residents that the investigation would be thorough and justice would be pursued to its conclusion.
More than ever, he said, the force is committed to preventing such tragedies through increased safety checks and stricter monitoring of heavy-duty vehicles operating within the capital.
Residents needing urgent police response were encouraged to contact the Command through its provided emergency lines.