What was meant to be a routine trip from Lagos to Abuja turned into an ordeal for more than 50 passengers on an Ekeson Transport bus after a tyre burst left them stranded overnight on a lonely stretch of the Ado–Igede road in Ekiti State.

According to eyewitness accounts, the incident occurred around 9:20 p.m. on Sunday night, when the bus suffered a burst tyre. To make matters worse, the vehicle had no spare tyre onboard, leaving passengers—including women, children, and elderly travelers—at the mercy of the cold and the dark in a bushy, poorly lit area.

Driver Vanishes, Passengers Left in Fear

The driver and his assistants reportedly rolled the damaged tyre toward Igede town in search of a replacement around 10:30 p.m., but failed to keep passengers informed of their progress. Hours passed with no updates, prompting panic among travelers.

One passenger told reporters:

“We were left by the roadside for hours in complete darkness. The driver and the conductor disappeared without telling us anything. It was a terrifying experience.”

Help Comes After Midnight

Relief finally came around 12:41 a.m., when a second Ekeson bus delivered a replacement tyre. However, the tyre was worn out and without a rim, forcing mechanics to improvise before the vehicle could continue its journey.

A trip that should have lasted less than 12 hours eventually stretched to nearly 23 hours, with passengers arriving in Abuja at 1:40 p.m. on Monday, after departing Jibowu, Lagos, at 3 p.m. on Sunday.

Safety Concerns Over Ekeson’s Operations

This incident has raised serious questions about Ekeson Transport’s compliance with safety regulations, especially regarding vehicle maintenance and emergency preparedness. Many passengers expressed anger that a reputable transport company would operate without a spare tyre, exposing travelers to unnecessary danger.