PHOTOS: Residents recount how rainstorm destroyed Abuja bus terminal

Residents have described the terrifying moment a heavy rainstorm tore through the newly constructed Kugbo bus terminal along the Abuja-Keffi expressway, leaving significant damage in its wake.

The terminal, inaugurated in June 2025 by President Bola Tinubu as part of efforts to curb “one chance” crimes and improve transport regulation in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), had reportedly not been put into use nearly nine months later.

Tuesday’s storm ripped off parts of the terminal’s roofing, raising fresh concerns about the state of the project. Although no deaths were recorded, one person sustained serious injuries, and a vehicle was damaged.

Eyewitnesses said the situation escalated as the rainfall intensified.

Samuel Juliet, a petty trader, said she and others had taken refuge at the terminal’s security outpost when they heard a loud sound.

“It was when the rain started that the breeze carried it, and that was when we heard a very strong sound. When we looked out, we saw that the roof had fallen off,” she said.

She described the experience as frightening, noting that only a few people were around at the time, including security personnel and her daughter.

Juliet added that a man who had taken shelter under a nearby pedestrian bridge was seriously injured.

“People usually stay under the bridge when it rains, but the wind became too strong. He was the only one left outside, and people said he was badly hurt and bleeding,” she said.

Another resident, Thomas Shugaba, a vulcaniser, said he narrowly escaped harm after leaving his usual spot to take cover in a nearby container.

“The wind was very strong. I wasn’t expecting anything like that because I sometimes stay under the bridge when it rains,” he said.

He noted that the storm caused extensive damage to property in the area, including his vulcanising equipment and a Toyota car.

According to him, the injured man suffered deep cuts after being hit by roofing sheets blown off the terminal.

Residents said the incident could have been far worse if more people had been at the location at the time.