A young man is fighting for his life following a devastating accident on the Dawaki-Kubwa Expressway in Abuja, allegedly caused by reckless Nigerian police officers.
According to eyewitness reports, the officers forcefully entered the victim’s vehicle without a checkpoint or prior stop order, leading to a struggle that ultimately resulted in a devastating crash.
The incident was brought to public attention by a Facebook user, Opaluwa Omera Ugbede, who detailed the shocking events that unfolded and shared images from the scene.
In his post, he wrote: “According to eyewitness reports, the boy was sent by his mother to buy sachet water and was returning home when police officers within the area forcefully entered his car without any checkpoint or prior stop order. One of the officers allegedly began dragging the steering wheel with him.
“In the struggle, the vehicle lost control, somersaulted three times, and plunged into a gutter. The young driver was severely injured in the crash, with suspicions of internal bleeding.”
Eyewitnesses recounted how the victim, after suffering multiple injuries, was barely conscious before being rushed to the hospital.
The severity of his condition has raised concerns that he may have suffered internal bleeding, a potentially fatal complication if not treated urgently.
Eyewitnesses added that what happened next was even more infuriating. Instead of rushing to assist the critically injured young man, the officers allegedly attempted to flee the scene — an action that sparked public outrage.
Ugbede continued in his post: “Shockingly, instead of assisting the victim, the police officers reportedly attempted to flee the scene. However, vigilant bystanders acted swiftly, deflating the police vehicle’s tyres and ensuring the boy was rescued from the wreckage.”
WATCH: Rogue @PoliceNG Officers Try to Extort Man on Errand for His Mother, Cause Damaging Accident After Dragging Steering Wheel with Him, Attempt to Flee Scene After Wrecking Victim’s Vehicle pic.twitter.com/52NwrZv4EJ
— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) March 8, 2025
The callous behaviour by those meant to uphold the law has fuelled renewed anger over police brutality and impunity in Nigeria.
The fact that these officers were willing to abandon a young man they had just sent crashing into a gutter, rather than ensuring he received immediate medical attention, underscores a deeply rooted problem within the Nigerian Police Force.
This tragic incident is yet another grim reminder of the long history of police misconduct in Nigeria.
Law enforcement officers, who are supposed to protect citizens, have been accused repeatedly of abusing their power, extorting money from innocent people, and using excessive force without accountability.
Many Nigerians are still haunted by the horrors of the EndSARS protests, the nationwide movement that erupted in 2020 against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad and police brutality.
The protests, which began as a call to end police violence, eventually escalated into a major confrontation between the people and the government.
Despite the disbandment of SARS and promises of police reform, incidents like this continue to occur, proving that the culture of impunity within the force remains deeply entrenched.
