From HASSAN JIRGI Damaturu
Yobe State Police Command has confirmed a fatal motor accident that occurred on October 17 along Potiskum-Fika road, around Maiduwa junction.
A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, confirmed that six passengers lost their lives on the spot, while eight others sustained various degrees of injuries.
Preliminary investigation revealed that a Sharon vehicle with registration number PKM 549 YZ, driven by Adamu Hassan was conveying passengers from Potiskum to Bajoga, Funakaye Local Government Area of Gombe State, when the driver lost control of the vehicle, resulting in a fatal crash.
He added that on receipt of the report, personnel of the Motor Traffic Department, MTD, Fika Division swiftly responded, rushed to the scene and evacuated both the injured and the deceased to the General Hospital, Fika, where a medical doctor confirmed the six victims dead. Efforts are ongoing to trace and contact the relatives of the deceased for proper identification.
The command attributed this unfortunate incident to over speeding, reckless and dangerous driving, unnecessary overtaking and drug abuse by some commercial drivers.
The Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Ado expressed deep sympathy to the families of the deceased and prayed for the quick recovery of the injured victims.
He called on drivers and road users to always adhere strictly to traffic regulations and avoid behaviours that endanger their lives and those of others. The command also warned that reckless drivers will face the full weight of the law.
The command urged continuous collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, and other relevant stakeholders to intensify sensitisation campaign on safe driving, vehicle maintenance and avoidance of drug abuse among commercial drivers.
Members of the public are equally encouraged to report any act of dangerous driving or suspected intoxicated drivers through the command’s emergency lines for prompt intervention. Together, we can save lives and make our roads safer for everyone.
