… alarmed rider reports to Police, seeks family
By Tamiu Bello
ABUJA — A tragic incident has left commuters and residents in shock after a middle-aged man was found dead inside a commercial tricycle, popularly known as keke napep, along the Mararaba to Sabo route on Saturday.
According to reports circulated on Sunday, the man had boarded the tricycle from Mararaba, a bustling satellite town in Nasarawa State that serves thousands of workers and traders commuting into the Federal Capital Territory daily. His intended destination was Sabo, an area within the city known for its busy markets and transport links.
The keke rider said he only realized something was wrong when he got to Sabo and turned to collect fare. The passenger was unresponsive. Alarmed, the rider immediately notified nearby residents before contacting the police.
Officers from the nearest division arrived at the scene shortly after and cordoned off the tricycle. A search was conducted for identification, but police said no ID card, phone, wallet, or any document that could reveal the man’s identity was found on him.
“The rider did the right thing by reporting immediately,” a police source who did not wish to be named said.
“As of now, we do not know the cause of death. The body has been deposited at the morgue pending an autopsy and further investigation. We are also appealing to members of the public to help us identify him so his family can be contacted.”
The deceased is described as an adult male. Photos taken by authorities are being circulated within police channels and community groups in Mararaba, Nyanya, and Sabo in hopes that someone will come forward.
Mararaba to Sabo is one of the busiest keke routes in the FCT axis, with hundreds of trips made daily by traders, students, and civil servants. Many residents expressed sadness over the incident, noting how common it has become for people to travel alone early in the morning or late at night.
“This is heartbreaking,” said Aisha Bello, a trader who plies the same route.
“You enter keke every day and never imagine this could happen. I pray God comforts his family wherever they are.”
Community leaders in Mararaba have also called on transport unions to encourage passengers to carry means of identification and to inform someone when traveling, especially on long commuter routes.
The police have urged anyone who recognizes the man or has information about a missing relative to report to the nearest police station or contact the divisional headquarters covering the Sabo area. They said the goal is to ensure the body is claimed and given a dignified burial by family.
As of press time, no family member had come forward. Authorities say investigation is ongoing to determine the exact cause of death.
