A sombre Friday afternoon in Port Harcourt turned tragic when a man hurrying to join Jumu’ah prayers was fatally crushed by a speeding truck at Nkpolu Junction along the East–West Road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The horrifying incident occurred around 2:05 p.m. on August 29, 2025, and the bustling nature of the junction only added to the chaos and confusion of the scene.
Eyewitness accounts reveal that the victim, in his attempt to cross the busy road, was first struck by a black SUV due to reportedly not observing traffic patterns before stepping into the road. Moments later, a large trailer—also speeding—ran over him, dismembering his body beyond recognition.
One of the onlookers, identifying himself only as Tunde, recounted that the man had been following a group of fellow Muslim faithful when he attempted to cross. The sudden collision and its gruesome aftermath sent shockwaves through the crowd.
In the immediate aftermath, several Muslim worshippers blocked the highway in protest, demanding justice. The demonstration disrupted traffic until police personnel arrived on the scene, restored order, and allowed for the respectful retrieval of the victim’s remains. Muslim community members then took the body for burial according to Islamic rites.
This heartbreaking episode adds to a series of tragic road accidents in Nigeria involving speeding trucks. Such incidents underscore the chronic dangers faced by pedestrians in high-traffic zones, especially near places of worship.
As investigations continue, residents and worshippers in Port Harcourt are demanding improved road safety measures—especially around religious gathering points where pedestrian traffic spikes on Fridays.
