Travel Tips
The Growing Menace of Touts on Abuja Roads: Risks for Innocent Drivers
Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital, is often portrayed as a symbol of order, modernity, and national pride. Yet, behind its wide expressways, new road networks, and the ever-expanding city limits, a growing menace lurks in plain sight road touts.
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Increasingly, these self-styled “enforcers” and “taskforce agents” are becoming an everyday nightmare for innocent road users, bringing with them chaos, intimidation, extortion, and even deadly consequences.
Who Are Abuja Road Touts?
In Abuja, touts are often seen loitering at key intersections, bus stops, and commercial areas. Some are young men hired by illegal transport unions; others claim to be affiliated with local councils or “taskforce” groups but operate without official backing. Their primary targets are commercial bus drivers, taxi operators, and okada riders but private motorists are not spared.
With little to no regulation, these touts wield unchecked power: stopping vehicles, demanding arbitrary “levies,” and using force or intimidation when challenged.
The Daily Harassment of Road Users
For innocent drivers and commuters, encountering touts on Abuja roads is more than just an inconvenience, it’s a risk. Common experiences include:
- Extortion: Motorists are forced to pay illegal fines for alleged traffic infractions.
- Violence: Refusal to comply can lead to physical assault or damage to vehicles.
- Obstruction: Touts block roads during disputes, causing gridlocks and endangering commuters.
- Fear: Many road users avoid certain routes altogether, sacrificing convenience for safety.
One driver described the ordeal:
“They pounced on my car, shattered my side mirror, and demanded money for a violation I never committed. I had no choice but to pay.”
Legal Implications and Grey Areas
The troubling rise of touts highlights Nigeria’s broader challenges with law enforcement. Despite the presence of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), police, and the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs), gaps in enforcement allow touts to thrive.
Even worse, some touts claim to work with government agencies, blurring the line between legality and outright lawlessness. For the average road user, distinguishing between a legitimate officer and an impostor becomes nearly impossible.
Economic and Social Consequences
The unchecked activities of touts have wider implications:
- Increased cost of transport: Drivers pass the burden of illegal levies onto commuters.
- Erosion of public trust: Citizens lose faith in law enforcement when touts operate openly.
- Security threats: Touts often double as petty criminals, heightening insecurity on Abuja’s roads.
- Strain on businesses: Transporters and delivery services avoid certain areas, disrupting commerce.
What Innocent Road Users Can Do
While systemic solutions lie in government hands, road users must also protect themselves:
- Stay Informed: Know your rights and the approved agencies responsible for traffic control.
- Avoid Confrontation: If harassed, prioritize safety over resistance escalate later through proper channels.
- Use Safe Routes: Stick to major highways and avoid notorious tout hotspots where possible.
- Document Incidents: Photos, videos, or eyewitness accounts can support complaints.
- Report Immediately: Abuja has designated hotlines for reporting illegal harassment, though enforcement remains inconsistent.
The Call for Urgent Action
If left unchecked, the rise of touts on Abuja’s roads threatens not only commuters’ safety but the credibility of the city itself as Nigeria’s capital. Stakeholders including the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), FRSC, and security agencies must urgently act to:
- Dismantle illegal taskforce groups.
- Launch public awareness campaigns.
- Provide clear identification for legitimate traffic officers.
- Prosecute offenders to deter future cases.
Without decisive action, Abuja risks becoming another chaotic transport hub where touts dictate the rules and innocent lives pay the price.
If you’re planning travel within Nigeria, up-to-date knowledge of regional security risks is essential.
Also Read: Nigeria’s Most Dangerous Routes: Death Traps and Insecurity Hotspots
Multiple international advisories, including from the U.S., New Zealand, the U.K., and Canada, highlight a growing number of states to avoid due to violence, kidnapping, terrorism, and general instability.
18 States Rated “Do Not Travel”
Governments worldwide have flagged 18 states across Nigeria as high-risk zones, warning travelers to avoid them completely:
- Borno & Yobe: Ongoing terrorism and Boko Haram activity
- Northern Adamawa, Kogi, Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara: High kidnapping and banditry risk
- Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, Rivers (except Port Harcourt): Elevated crime, armed robbery, and gang violence
New Zealand’s advisory goes even further, Abuja (outside central area) and nearly all states outside Lagos and Calabar are included in its “Do Not Travel” list due to terrorism and kidnapping threats.
What Makes These States Especially Dangerous
Northeast & Northwest: Insurgent Terror & Banditry
- States like Borno, Yobe, and northern Adamawa remain frontline regions for Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgencies. Persistent attacks, abductions, and bombings continue to destabilize travel corridors.
- In the northwest, Katsina, Kaduna, and Zamfara face intense bandit-led kidnappings and rural raids. Recent operations freed dozens of hostages, often after armed confrontations.
Middle Belt: Ethno-Religious Clashes & Farmer-Herder Violence
- States like Plateau and Benue are plagued by escalating violence between herders and farmers compounded by climate stress and resource competition.
Southern States: Crime, Armed Gangs & Kidnappings
In parts of the South, Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, kidnapping, port-related insecurity, and gang violence remain serious concerns even in urban zones. Rivers State, in particular, ranks among the most violent in the south.
Capital Area & Other Regions: Spillover Risks
Travel advisories also include the outer suburbs of Abuja, where violent crime including armed robbery and carjackings has spread beyond central areas.
RoadKing.ng Safety Snapshot
Region / Risk Type – Key States Security – Threats
Northeast – Borno, Yobe, Adamawa (North) – Terrorism, bombings, insurgent attacks
Northwest & North-Central – Katsina, Kaduna, Kogi, Zamfara, Plateau, Benue – Kidnappings, bandit raids, communal violence
South (Zones of Access) – Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, Imo, Enugu etc. – Armed gangs, organized crime, kidnappings
Federal Capital Area – Abuja suburbs – Carjacking, violent robbery
What RoadKing.ng Recommends
- Avoid travel to the listed high-risk states unless absolutely necessary.
- If travel is unavoidable, limit yourself to central urban areas (e.g., Lagos, Port Harcourt, central Abuja).
- Travel during daylight hours only.
- Use registered transport providers or hotel-arranged transfers.
- Stay informed, monitor local news, embassy advisories, and maintain communication with trusted locals.
Final Thought
The security situation in Nigeria remains fluid. Until significant improvements in safety infrastructure and governance occur, even urban hubs carry risk. When planning travel, always exercise extra caution and prioritize safety.
The Lokoja-Abuja Expressway, a critical link between Nigeria’s northern and southern regions, has become a nightmare for motorists.
Also Read: Family of 4 Perish on Abuja-Lokoja Highway
Despite being one of the busiest roads in the country, it remains riddled with deep potholes, inadequate signage, and dangerous curves that contribute to a growing list of fatal accidents.
Over the past six months, this 165-kilometer stretch has witnessed more than 120 recorded crashes, according to FRSC data. Many drivers now refer to it as “The Corridor of Death.”
Why the Road is So Dangerous
1. Poor Maintenance
Years of neglect have left large sections of the road in a state of disrepair. Potholes, some deep enough to damage a vehicle’s suspension in one hit, force drivers into sudden lane changes, often leading to head-on collisions.
2. Traffic Volume
The road serves as the main entry into the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from the south, making it heavily trafficked by trucks, buses, and private vehicles. Peak hours can see traffic stretching for over 5 kilometers at bottlenecks.
3. Driver Behavior
Impatience is rampant. Commercial drivers, under pressure to meet time targets, frequently engage in dangerous overtaking, particularly on blind bends near Abaji and Gegu villages.
4. Weather Hazards
During the rainy season, poor drainage causes sections of the road to flood, creating hydroplaning risks and further obscuring already faded road markings.
Hotspots for Accidents
FRSC reports identify these locations as the most dangerous:
- Gegu Junction – notorious for truck collisions
- Abaji Hills Bend – poor visibility and sharp curves
- Zuba–Lokoja stretch – heavy commuter congestion and roadside markets
Voices from the Road
- Ahmed Bello, a long-distance bus driver: “Every trip is a gamble. You either lose time avoiding potholes or risk your life overtaking slow trucks.”
- Ngozi Okeke, a trader: “We’ve seen too many bodies on this road. Government must act before more lives are lost.”
Government Response
The Federal Ministry of Works announced in April 2025 that a ₦45 billion rehabilitation project had been approved. However, only patchwork repairs have been carried out so far, leading to skepticism among road users.
An official from the ministry, speaking under anonymity, admitted that funding disbursement delays have stalled progress.
Safety Recommendations for Drivers
- Avoid nighttime travel when visibility is low and streetlights are absent.
- Keep a longer following distance, especially behind heavy-duty trucks.
- Plan extra travel time to avoid rushing on dangerous stretches.
- Use alternate routes where possible during heavy rain.
Expert Opinion
Transportation analyst Engr. Salisu Umar warns that fixing the road alone will not end the fatalities:
“We need stricter driver licensing, mandatory speed governors for commercial buses, and designated truck lay-bys. A good road without disciplined drivers will still kill.”
Conclusion
The Lokoja-Abuja Road is more than just an infrastructure project waiting for completion, it is a daily battle for survival for thousands of Nigerians. Until the combination of road repairs, strict law enforcement, and driver education comes together, the tragedies will continue.
References:
- Federal Road Safety Corps – Mid-Year Crash Statistics, January–June 2025
- Federal Ministry of Works – Road Rehabilitation Budget Report (April 2025)
- RoadKing.ng archives – Lokoja–Abuja safety feature (2024)
Every rainy season, Nigerian roads become deadlier.
Potholes fill with water, visibility drops, and hydroplaning becomes common. Despite this, most drivers continue as though conditions haven’t changed.
Also Read: How to Drive in Heavy Rain: Safety Tips
According to FRSC 2025 data, wet-weather crashes account for nearly 21% of road fatalities during the rain season.
Why Rainy Season Driving Is So Dangerous in Nigeria
Poor Drainage Systems
- Flooded sections hide deep potholes and loose manhole covers.
- Key blackspots include Ijora Causeway (Lagos), Lokoja–Makurdi Road, and Onitsha–Owerri Highway.
Low Vehicle Maintenance
- Worn tyres and faulty brakes perform poorly in wet conditions.
- Many drivers ignore wiper replacement, worsening visibility.
Poor Road Visibility
- Heavy rainfall + inadequate lighting make it difficult to spot hazards.
What a National Campaign Should Focus On
| Key Risk | Safety Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Hydroplaning | Drive 20% slower, avoid sudden braking |
| Flooded potholes | Avoid high-speed puddle crossing, maintain safe distance |
| Tyre blowouts | Ensure minimum 1.6mm tread depth |
| Poor visibility | Replace wipers yearly, keep headlights clean |
| Brake failure in wet | Service brakes before rainy season |
How Other Countries Handle Rain Safety
- India: Monsoon safety PSAs on TV, radio, and social media every season.
- Thailand: Mandatory pre-rainy season tyre and brake inspections for commercial buses.
- Kenya: Flood-prone roads are temporarily closed and diversions announced on national radio.
RoadKing.ng Call to Action
Nigeria urgently needs:
- A Raining Season Driving Campaign driven by FRSC & state traffic agencies.
- Regular public advisories through radio, social media, and community outreach.
- Seasonal vehicle inspection programs before the rains begin.
Rain shouldn’t automatically mean danger, but without education and preparation, Nigeria’s rainy season will continue to claim lives unnecessarily.
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