KEY POINTS

• A bus conductor died and several passengers were injured after a luxury bus crashed while trying to escape suspected armed robbers on the Enugu-Abakaliki Expressway.
• Transport operators accused criminals of exploiting poor night-time security and called for mobile patrols instead of stationary checkpoints.
• Police confirmed the incident but said the conductor died after being trapped under cargo, not from gunshot wounds, while investigations continue.

Growing insecurity along the Enugu-Abakaliki Expressway has sparked fresh concerns among motorists and commuters following the death of a luxury bus conductor during an attempted robbery attack.

The latest incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, June 13, at the Mezana axis in Onuogba Nike Community, located in Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State.

According to transport operators, the luxury bus was travelling from Lagos to Abakaliki when it encountered a roadblock allegedly mounted by armed robbers operating along the highway.

Sources within the transport sector said the driver, upon spotting the roadblock, attempted to reverse the vehicle to avoid falling into the hands of the attackers.

However, the suspected robbers allegedly opened fire as the vehicle tried to escape. In the process, the driver lost control of the bus, causing it to plunge into a deep ditch.

While the driver survived the crash, the conductor reportedly died at the scene, while several passengers sustained severe injuries and were rushed for medical attention.

Transport Union Raises Alarm Over Rising Insecurity

Reacting to the incident, a transport union leader, Omeje Stephen, described the highway as increasingly unsafe, especially during the night.

He said travelling on the road between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. has become extremely dangerous due to the activities of armed robbers.

According to him, the criminals are believed to be familiar with the terrain and may be residents of communities along the route, enabling them to monitor the movement of security personnel.

Stephen recounted another attack that allegedly occurred two weeks earlier around Mile 17, where his cousin, a truck driver, and his conductor were attacked by gunmen. He claimed the assailants robbed them of their belongings before shooting both victims.

He criticised what he described as the ineffectiveness of stationary police checkpoints, arguing that criminals simply relocate whenever security operatives are present.

The union leader called for continuous mobile patrols instead of fixed checkpoints, which he alleged are often used for extorting motorists.