Devastating Mabushi Tragedy: 3 Lives Lost to Agberos Mob Burns 3 Agberos as Government Sleeps

Abuja residents are still reeling from shock following Wednesday’s tragic incident at Mabushi, where a family lost their lives in an accident allegedly caused by transport touts, popularly called agberos.

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The heartbreaking scene unfolded on the busy Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway near Mabushi Bridge. According to eyewitnesses, the touts attempted to forcefully extort money from a motorist driving with his family. In the ensuing chaos, they allegedly grabbed the steering wheel of the moving vehicle, causing it to crash into a concrete pillar.

The result was devastating. The driver, his wife, and their child(ren) died instantly. Outraged by the gruesome sight, passersby descended on the suspected agberos, lynching at least one and leaving others badly injured. Videos of the aftermath, showing smoke billowing from burning bodies, circulated widely on social media, drawing anger and despair across the country.

A City Under Siege of Agberos

For years, the menace of agberos has plagued Nigeria’s capital. What began as loosely organized groups claiming to “assist” with transport fares has grown into a full-blown extortion network. Commuters and motorists are often harassed, attacked, or forced to part with money. In some cases, violent clashes between touts have disrupted traffic and endangered lives.

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Wednesday’s tragedy has laid bare the human cost of government inaction. A family—innocent, unsuspecting, and simply going about their daily business—was cut down in their prime. It is a sobering reminder that when impunity thrives, ordinary citizens bear the brunt.

Conflicting Narratives, Unchanged Reality

While police and hospital sources differ on the exact number of casualties, with some reports citing three victims and others four, the facts remain clear: lives were lost, and the perpetrators were street agberos operating openly in Abuja. Whether one or three touts died in the mob retaliation is secondary. The real issue is that touts should never have had the space to wreak such havoc in the first place.

Government Must Wake Up

The question now is: how many more lives must be lost before decisive action is taken? The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) under Minister Nyesome Wike, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), and security agencies cannot continue to look away. The proliferation of touts in Abuja is not just a nuisance; it is a direct threat to public safety.

First, touting or activities of agberos must be outlawed and enforced with strict penalties.

Second, genuine job creation strategies must be rolled out to absorb unemployed youths, many of whom turn to touting as a last resort.

Third, security agencies must patrol hotspots like Mabushi, Berger, Nyanya, and Area 1 with zero tolerance for extortion or harassment by agberos or any elements.

This incident should mark a turning point. The blood of a young family cries out for justice, not only through the prosecution of those directly involved but also through systemic reforms that prevent a repeat.

For too long, Nigerians have normalized the menace of agberos—shrugging off harassment, paying illegal tolls, and warning each other to “just avoid trouble.” But the Mabushi tragedy has proven that avoidance is no longer an option. The touts have grown bolder, and silence has become complicity.

The deaths at Mabushi are not just statistics; they represent dreams cut short, a family wiped out, and a community traumatized. If the government fails to act now, then the question every Abuja resident must ask is: who will be next?