Eight Lives Lost and Three Injured in Yobe Traffic Accident

A tragic incident has unfolded on the Damaturu–Potiskum Road in Yobe State, where a head-on collision involving a Howo truck bearing the registration number DAL 973 YY and another truck with the plate NNR 437 XA has reportedly claimed the lives of at least eight individuals.

Three additional passengers sustained injuries as a result of the crash that took place at Dogon Kuka village.

Andrew Longkam, the Yobe State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), confirmed the event on Thursday in Damaturu. He stated, "A preliminary report from Dogon Kuka has shown that the accident occurred at approximately 12:40 PM, prompting the FRSC rescue team to the scene to transport the ten victims to the Specialist Hospital in Damaturu for treatment, alongside the eight deceased individuals to the hospital morgue."

Longkam mentioned that one of the passengers remained unharmed during the rescue operation along the Kano–Maiduguri Expressway.

Moreover, it was reported that the FRSC towing service worked to clear debris from the expressway to avert any potential further accidents on the route. The Dogon Kuka Police Motor Traffic Division also assisted in ensuring a seamless flow of vehicles and bicycles in the area.

The sector commander further explained, “Initial investigations suggest that the driver of the Mitsubishi truck was likely speeding excessively,” which led to him losing control and crashing into the opposing vehicle.

Longkam attributed the collision to factors such as “speeding and disobeying route regulations, which he described as prevalent reckless driving behaviors observed in the region.”

He confirmed that investigations are continuing to determine the precise cause of the collision, emphasizing that road accidents continue to take lives nationwide.

The sector commander reiterated his appeal to drivers to refrain from violating traffic regulations, driving excessively fast, and ignoring road safety rules.

He assured the public that the FRSC is dedicated to its mission of enhancing road safety through immediate emergency interventions and ongoing public awareness campaigns aimed at lowering the incidence of road accidents in the state.