7 Die In Yobe Auto Crash

The Yobe State Police Command has said that a tragic motor accident has claimed the lives of seven persons and left four others seriously injured.

A statement by the Police public relations officer, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, said on Boxing Day at about 4.30pm, the Potiskum Divisional Police Headquarters received a distress call regarding a fatal motor accident along the Badejo axis.

The incident involved a Sharon bus conveying passengers from Lawanti Area of Akko local government area, Gombe State, en route Maiduguri, Borno State.

According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that the vehicle, driven by one Gambo Abbo, suffered a rear tyre burst while in motion.

According to the statement, the sudden mechanical failure caused the driver to lose control, resulting in the vehicle veering off the road and plunging into the bush.

Consequently, the driver and four passengers died instantly, while six others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

He said the Police Motor Traffic Department promptly mobilised to the scene, evacuated the injured to the State Specialist Hospital, Potiskum, for medical attention, while two of the injured later succumbed to their injuries while receiving treatment.

The corpses of the deceased were deposited at the hospital morgue for preservation and identification.
The deceased persons have been identified as Gambo Abbo, 35 years; Umalkhairi, 18 years; Rabiu Abubakar, 28 years; Fatima Hassan, 28 years; Amal Abubakar, 3 years; Adamu Bello, 4 years and Zarau Alhaji, 27 years.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Emmanuel Ado, expressed his deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

He further emphasised the importance of regular vehicle maintenance, particularly the inspection of critical components such as tyres, brakes and steering systems before embarking on any journey.

LEADERSHIP Weekend gathered that efforts were ongoing to reach and formally notify the relatives of the deceased.