Gombe Police Probe Crash That Killed Five Siblings As FRSC Intensifies Enforcement

The Gombe State Police Command has commenced an investigation into a road crash that killed five siblings, as the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) intensifies traffic enforcement and public enlightenment campaigns to prevent further tragedies.

LEADERSHIP had earlier reported that the crash involved a tricycle conveying the children to school and a water tanker. Three other children sustained injuries.

The deceased were identified as Maryam Mansir Adamu and Usman Mansir Adamu, both Primary Five pupils of Jekadafari Primary School; Hauwau Mansir Adamu of GJSS Jekadafari; Aliyu Mansir Adamu of GDSS Ahmadu Gombe; and Fatima Mansir Adamu, a student.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Gombe State, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, said investigations were ongoing to establish the actual cause of the crash.

He said preliminary information available to the police indicated that the tricycle rider went underneath the trailer from behind, rather than being involved in a head-on collision.

Abdullahi, however, stressed that further investigation would determine the circumstances surrounding the incident, adding that the death of five children had made the case a priority.

Meanwhile, the FRSC Sector Commander in Gombe State, Samson Kaura, said the corps had intensified public enlightenment campaigns in religious institutions, motor parks and garages, while collaborating with media organisations to educate motorists and other road users on safety.

“As a lead agency in road Safety management and administration, we are strongly engaging in a strategic public enlightenment campaign weekly to religious institutions (churches and Mosques) on Fridays and Sundays to talk to members of their congregations on road Safety ideals. We are also intensifying public enlightenment in motor parks and garages to synergise with drivers and Union officials,” he said.

Kaura added that the agency had established road safety clubs in primary and junior secondary schools to promote traffic awareness among children.

He said the FRSC had also strengthened enforcement of traffic regulations and stepped up mobile court operations to ensure compliance, maintain discipline on the roads and reduce crashes.

The measures, he said, formed part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and prevent avoidable deaths.