From Ben Adaji, Jalingo
Devastating accident occurred yesterday at the bustling Mile 6 Market in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, when a tipper loaded with shaft sand veered out of control and ploughed into a crowd of traders.
Several people have been confirmed dead, though the exact number of casualties is yet to be determined, as emergency responders and authorities continue to assess the scene.
According to an eyewitness, the truck was travelling at high speed when one of its tires burst, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The tipper then careened into the crowded market, striking traders and bystanders in its path. “It happened so fast. The truck was speeding and after the tire burst, the driver could not steer. It just rammed into people,” Musa Ibrahim, a local vendor who witnessed the incident noted.
Emergency services, including police and medical personnel, rushed to the scene to provide assistance and transport the injured to nearby hospitals. Authorities are working to identify victims and notify their families. The driver of the truck has been taken into custody and investigation is underway to determine the full circumstances of the crash.
Mile 6 Market, a popular trading hub in Jalingo, was filled with vendors and shoppers at the time of the incident. Local officials have expressed condolences and urged the public to remain calm as they work to provide support to those affected.
Further details on the number of casualties and the condition of the injured are expected to be released as the situation develops. The tragic event has left Jalingo community in shock, with calls for improved road safety measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
The police command is yet to comment on the incident.
