At least two people have died, and six others sustained serious injuries following a road accident involving a heavy-duty truck along the Gombe–Yola Road in Gombe State.
The incident occurred around 10:20 p.m. on Tuesday at New Mile 3, near the main dual carriageway. Reports indicate that the accident involved an open-body truck loaded with bags of rice that was allegedly parked improperly at the scene.
Confirming the accident, Senior Special Assistant on Security Matters and Intergovernmental Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Danbayo, blamed negligence on the part of the truck driver.
“Preliminary investigations show that the truck’s handbrake was not properly engaged, causing the vehicle to roll uncontrollably and collide with a Mach Operations Hattara Toyota Hilux,” Danbayo said.
He added that the truck also hit pedestrians present at the scene, including a member of the Hattara vigilante group and another individual whose identity is yet to be confirmed.
“The collision was severe, leading to the immediate death of two people, while six others suffered varying degrees of injuries,” Danbayo stated.
The injured were rushed to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, for emergency treatment, while the deceased were taken to the Specialist Hospital, Gombe.
Danbayo further disclosed that the truck driver had been apprehended and is currently in police custody.
“The driver has been detained at the Tumfure Police Division, and preparations are ongoing to transfer him to the Motor Traffic Department in Gombe for further investigation and possible prosecution,” he said.
Authorities have called on motorists to exercise caution, particularly when parking heavy vehicles along major roads, to prevent similar accidents. Investigations into the crash are ongoing.
