At least three people have lost their lives and about 40 others have been injured after a canter truck crashed into a group of people along the Gombe–Potiskum highway in Yobe State.
The accident occurred at around 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday near Badejo town in the Potiskum Municipal Local Government Area, a section of the road known for heavy human and vehicular activity, particularly on market days.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that the truck was travelling at high speed before the driver lost control, veering off the road and hitting people who were seated by the roadside.
Confirming the incident, the Yobe State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Paul Andrew, said the crash involved a single canter vehicle and resulted in multiple casualties.
“The crash happened near Badejo town along the Gombe–Potiskum expressway. A canter vehicle rammed into people sitting by the roadside, leading to fatalities and several injuries,” he said.
According to the FRSC, overloading and excessive speed were identified as the primary causes of the accident following preliminary investigations.
“The driver lost control due to overloading and overspeeding while navigating a busy section of the road,” Andrew explained.
He added that the truck was heading toward the Potiskum cattle market, which was experiencing high activity at the time.
“It was market day, so there was heavy movement of people and vehicles. Such conditions require extra caution, but unfortunately, traffic violations continue to occur,” he noted.
FRSC operatives, alongside other emergency responders, swiftly arrived at the scene. The injured victims were transported to nearby hospitals for medical treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were evacuated. The road was later cleared to restore traffic flow and prevent secondary crashes.
The FRSC commander used the incident to renew calls for strict adherence to road safety regulations, especially on busy commercial routes.
“Drivers must avoid overloading and speeding, particularly on market days. These actions are responsible for many preventable deaths,” Andrew warned.
The Gombe–Potiskum Road is a critical commercial link in Nigeria’s North-East region and frequently records congestion due to roadside trading and market-related activities, raising ongoing concerns about pedestrian and traffic safety.
Source: Africa Publicity
