A devastating accident in Yobe State on Monday has left five people dead and 19 others injured after a bus veered off the road and rammed into pedestrians. The incident occurred in Damagum, a town known for its bustling weekly market, which sees traders and shoppers from across the region gather to conduct business.
The fatal crash occurred during a busy market day in Damagum, a day when traders from all over Yobe State gather to sell their goods. According to a source who spoke to Daily Trust, the bus was traveling from Damaturu to Potiskum when the driver lost control of the vehicle and rammed into several pedestrians. Most of those caught in the accident were traders who had set up their stalls along the roadside, where the crash occurred.
The incident took a tragic turn as six people, including a pregnant woman, lost their lives. A number of others sustained varying degrees of injuries. However, authorities later confirmed that five individuals had died, while 19 others were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Witnesses reported that the accident happened after the driver, attempting to avoid hitting pedestrians trying to cross the highway, applied the brakes, which unfortunately failed. This loss of control led to the bus careening into the crowd of pedestrians.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Yobe State, under the leadership of Sector Commander Livinus Longzen Yilzoom, has confirmed the cause of the crash. According to the FRSC, the driver’s high speed was the primary factor behind the accident. The bus, which was transporting passengers from Damaturu to Potiskum, was traveling at an unsafe speed through the market area, where there was a lot of foot traffic.
The Sector Commander revealed that the driver noticed people attempting to cross the highway linking several major cities, including Kano, Jigawa, Azare, and Maiduguri, which led him to try to avoid hitting them. Unfortunately, the driver’s attempt to avoid an accident by braking quickly was unsuccessful, and the brakes failed. The vehicle then veered off course and collided with the pedestrians, causing the tragic loss of life.
In his statement, Yilzoom highlighted that the crash could have been avoided if there had been more attention to safety and road regulations. “Damagum has a weekly market, and we have been warning people to stop selling their goods by the roadsides,” Yilzoom said. “But unfortunately, they are not compliant.” He further explained that the combination of high speed, loss of control, and the presence of many pedestrians by the roadside created a deadly situation.
Among those who died in the crash, a pregnant woman was reported to be among the victims, which added to the heartbreak of the incident. Several others, including traders and pedestrians, sustained injuries ranging from minor to severe. The victims were quickly rushed to nearby medical facilities, where they received treatment for their injuries.
The accident has sent shockwaves through the local community, particularly in Damagum, where market days are an important part of the local economy. People from all walks of life come to the market to buy and sell goods, making it one of the busiest and most important events in the town. The crash has left many in mourning, and the impact on families and the local economy is being keenly felt.
The incident has also raised concerns about road safety in Yobe State, particularly around market areas like Damagum. The FRSC has been warning traders to stop setting up stalls too close to busy roads, as this increases the likelihood of accidents. However, the warnings have largely gone unheeded, with many still conducting business on the roadsides.
The Yobe State government and the FRSC have long recognized the dangers posed by these roadside markets. In addition to the risk posed to pedestrians, the heavy traffic that passes through these areas increases the chances of accidents. With the road linking several important cities, including the state capital Damaturu, the highway is heavily used by both local and long-distance vehicles.
The government and safety authorities have urged the public to be more mindful of their actions and take road safety seriously, especially in high-traffic areas. The high speed of vehicles on busy roads, combined with poorly placed market stalls and a lack of adequate pedestrian protection, continues to pose a major risk to public safety.
Following the tragic accident, the FRSC Sector Commander expressed deep sympathy for the victims and their families. Yilzoom extended his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and also to the people of Damagum and the entire Yobe State. He described the accident as an unfortunate event that could have been avoided with more attention to road safety measures.
The FRSC has also pledged to continue its efforts to improve safety on the roads, particularly around busy market areas like Damagum. This includes intensified road safety campaigns and more rigorous enforcement of regulations aimed at protecting pedestrians and reducing the risk of accidents.
As the community comes to terms with the loss, there have been calls for greater awareness of road safety, particularly during market days when pedestrian traffic is at its peak. Residents and local leaders are urging the authorities to take further action to prevent similar accidents in the future. Some have suggested measures such as redesigning the market layout, creating pedestrian walkways, and enforcing stricter speed limits around market areas.
The tragedy in Damagum serves as a stark reminder of the importance of road safety, especially in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic. It also highlights the need for better enforcement of safety regulations for both drivers and pedestrians, to prevent further loss of life.
As the people of Damagum and Yobe State mourn the loss of their loved ones, there is a collective hope that this incident will prompt a renewed focus on road safety and the protection of both drivers and pedestrians in the future.
