A heavy rainstorm on Tuesday afternoon caused widespread disruption in parts of the Federal Capital Territory, severely damaging the Kugbo bus terminal and bringing traffic to a standstill along the busy Abuja–Keffi highway.
The storm, which began around 3:30 p.m., tore through sections of the newly built terminal, ripping off large portions of its roof and scattering debris across the expressway.
The incident triggered a massive gridlock, leaving motorists stranded on both sides of the dual carriageway for hours.
The Kugbo terminal, inaugurated in June 2025 as part of a broader plan to modernise public transportation in Abuja, had yet to commence full operations before the incident occurred.
FCTA Orders Immediate ResponseReacting to the development, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) assured residents of swift intervention to restore normalcy and repair the damaged infrastructure.In a statement issued Tuesday evening, the spokesman to the FCT Minister, Lere Olayinka, said the windstorm also caused minor damage to the Nyanya pedestrian bridge and nearby buildings.
He quoted the Minister, Nyesom Wike, as directing the immediate deployment of security personnel to the area to maintain order and facilitate traffic control.
According to the statement, preliminary assessments indicated that no lives were lost and no vehicles were damaged despite the scale of destruction.
Authorities said efforts were already underway to clear the debris and begin repairs on the affected structures.
Chaos, Gridlock, and Opportunistic LootingThe aftermath of the storm plunged the area into chaos, as stranded motorists struggled to navigate the blocked highway. In frustration, some drivers resorted to driving against traffic, worsening the already tense situation.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as strong winds dislodged large metal roofing sheets, flinging them onto the road and endangering road users.The situation was further compounded by the activities of scavengers who, despite the downpour, reportedly swarmed the scene to cart away dislodged materials from the terminal.
Emergency responders and traffic officials faced an uphill task managing the situation, as the volume of debris combined with heavy vehicular movement slowed down recovery efforts.Infrastructure SetbackThe incident marks a setback for the FCTA’s transport reform initiative, which includes the development of modern bus terminals aimed at easing commuting and improving urban mobility within the capital city.
Officials, however, insist that the damage will be addressed promptly, with assurances that the facility will be restored and made operational as planned.
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