A tragic accident occurred in the early hours of Sunday in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State, as a commercial bus belonging to Adamawa Express plunged into the Namnai River while trying to cross a collapsed bridge. Several passengers are feared dead, and the incident has once again raised serious concerns about the neglected state of infrastructure in the region.
According to eyewitnesses, the bus was traveling towards Taraba when it lost balance while attempting to drive across the broken section of the Namnai Bridge. The bus, reportedly full of passengers, could not make it across the weakened structure and fell into the river below.
Rescue operations were still ongoing at the time of filing this report, with emergency responders and local volunteers working to recover bodies and search for any possible survivors.
The Namnai Bridge, which connects several communities in Gassol LGA and serves as a major route for both private and commercial vehicles, has been in a state of disrepair for more than a year. Despite repeated appeals by residents and assurances from local and state authorities, the bridge has remained abandoned and unfixed.
“The government promised us many times that they would fix this bridge, but nothing has happened. Now innocent people have died,” said Musa Ibrahim, a local resident who arrived at the scene shortly after the crash.
He added, “This is not the first time an accident has happened here. We’ve lost many people on this same road, yet no action has been taken.”
At the time of reporting, authorities had not confirmed the exact number of passengers involved or the death toll. However, local residents say the bus was nearly full when it departed Adamawa.
Sunday’s tragedy has sparked outrage among locals and road users, who say the government has abandoned critical infrastructure across Taraba and neighbouring states. They described the Namnai Bridge as a disaster waiting to happen — and one that had already caused numerous near-accidents before this fatal incident.
Community leaders in Gassol have appealed to both the Taraba State Government and the Federal Government to treat the situation with urgency. “Enough is enough,” said Alhaji Garba Adamu, a community elder. “This bridge is not just a local issue — it affects thousands of people, including traders, farmers, students, and travellers. It must be fixed now.”
Many took to social media to express their anger and sadness, with hashtags like #FixNamnaiBridge and #TarabaLivesMatter trending in the region. Posts showed images of the submerged bus and local volunteers struggling in waist-deep water.
Reports show that multiple administrations at the local and state levels have promised to repair the Namnai Bridge, especially after each rainy season when conditions worsen. Yet, no concrete steps have been taken, and no timeline has ever been followed.
Infrastructure in Taraba and other parts of the North-East has long suffered from poor maintenance, delayed government responses, and lack of funding. Commuters often risk their lives navigating broken roads, unsafe bridges, and poorly maintained routes.
This particular bridge is critical to connecting local markets and communities in Taraba to neighbouring Adamawa State and beyond.
Following the crash, pressure is now mounting on both state and federal authorities to act fast — not just by sending condolences but by moving heavy equipment to site and starting immediate reconstruction of the bridge.
A top official in the Taraba State Ministry of Works, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “We are aware of the incident and are working with relevant agencies to respond. The governor has been briefed, and we hope work will begin soon.”
For the families who have lost loved ones, the damage has already been done. But for many in Taraba, Sunday’s tragedy must mark the end of negligence and the beginning of real action.
As one local put it: “If this does not wake up the government, then nothing ever will.”
