A female Point of Sale operator was killed on Monday after being hit by a commercial bus near the Total filling station in the Berger area of the Federal Capital Territory.

According to eyewitnesses, the bus driver, who was operating a coaster bus, was being chased by officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps when the incident occurred.

A commuter who witnessed the incident and identified himself as Johnson told our correspondent that the woman had arrived early for work and was crossing the road after buying food.

Johnson added that after the bus struck the woman during the chase, neither the coaster bus driver nor the FRSC officials stopped at the scene.

He said the victim remained on the road until police officers from the Utako Division arrived, by which time she had died.

He added that a bystander recorded the incident and later went with the police.

He said, “The woman who was killed is a POS operator in the area. She came very early, went to buy food, and was trying to cross near the Total filling station when officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps were chasing a commercial coaster bus at high speed.

“In the process, the coaster bus hit the woman and threw her to the other side of the road. The driver did not stop. The FRSC vehicle also did not stop. They continued chasing the coaster bus at high speed.

“The body lay on the road for several minutes with serious injuries. The woman had died by the time police officers from Utako Division arrived at the scene. Someone recorded the entire incident and showed it to the police. I saw him leave with them.”

A newspaper vendor In the area also said the incident occurred in the morning near the Total filling station, adding that both the bus and the FRSC vehicle continued driving after the collision.

He said, “The incident happened this morning around the NNPC area opposite the Total filling station. The FRSC vehicle and the coaster bus were moving at high speed. The coaster bus hit the woman and continued. None of the vehicles stopped. They did not wait.”

Two mechanics working opposite the filling station confirmed that the bus was being chased by FRSC officials when it hit the woman.

They said neither the bus nor the pursuing vehicle stopped after the incident.

They said, “Road Safety officials were pursuing a coaster bus that plies the Mararaba–Nyanya axis this morning. It was the chase that caused the driver to hit the woman. After the collision, both vehicles did not stop.”

Another POS operator in the area, who identified himself as Ola, said FRSC officials frequently chase vehicles along the area.

He recalled a similar incident on Saturday that did not result in casualties due to low pedestrian presence.

“This is where the incident happened. FRSC officials often carry out such chases in this area. On Saturday, they chased a coaster bus here, and It could have killed someone if it had been a busy day like Monday.

“This is not the first time they have chased vehicles in this place. Maybe next time we see them here, we will chase them away,” he said.

Reacting, the Federal Capital Territory Sector Commander of the FRSC, Felix Theman, said the Corps was investigating the incident.

According to him, all patrol teams operating within the Central Area, Zone 7 and adjoining locations have been recalled to determine whether any FRSC patrol vehicle was involved.

He said, “I received a report similar to yours, and we are currently investigating the matter. I have recalled all patrol teams, particularly within the central area here, Zone 7, and surrounding areas, to determine whether any of our patrol units were actually involved.

“Once our investigation establishes the facts, we will issue a press statement to that effect.

“At the moment, we are looking into the matter to verify its accuracy. However, what we also know is that there are many instances where, even when I use a staff car, if someone commits an offence or runs a red light, they often assume that anyone in a vehicle is trying to apprehend them.

“Sometimes they even block the car, even when no patrol is being conducted.

“Most of the time, people don’t differentiate between a patrol vehicle and other vehicles. Many pickups, for example, are used for activities other than regular patrol.

“Until we can confirm whether it was indeed a patrol team, it would be premature to claim that a patrol unit was pursuing someone. I also understand that this particular area is always very busy.”

Efforts to obtain reactions from the Federal Capital Territory Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report. She did not answer calls but read a WhatsApp message sent to her. (The PUNCH)

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