Fatal Crash Claims Eight Lives on Potiskum–Dogon Kuka Road
By Baba Dan’Iya
A fatal road traffic crash along the Potiskum–Dogon Kuka carriageway in Yobe has claimed the lives of eight persons, while three others sustained injuries.
The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Yobe, Mr Andrew Paul Longkam, confirmed the incident on Thursday.
Longkam said the crash occurred at about 12:40 hours around the Gaggaba area and involved two commercial vehicles.
He said preliminary reports from the Dogon Kuka Unit Command indicated that a white Howo trailer, with registration number DAL 963YY, and a white Mitsubishi Canter, with registration number NNR 437XA, were involved.
The sector commander said 12 adult males were involved in the crash, out of which eight lost their lives, three sustained varying degrees of injuries and one was rescued unhurt.
He said FRSC operatives arrived at the scene within five minutes of notification and immediately commenced rescue and evacuation operations.
According to him, the injured and deceased victims were evacuated to the Government General Hospital, Dogon Kuka, where the injured received prompt medical attention.
Longkam said the FRSC tow truck team cleared the wreckage to restore traffic flow, while the Nigeria Police Motor Traffic Division, Dogon Kuka, was duly informed.
He said preliminary findings suggested that the Mitsubishi Canter, suspected to be speeding, committed route violation and lost control before crashing into the trailer, which was on its rightful lane.
The sector commander said excessive speed and route violation were suspected to be the primary causes of the crash, noting that investigation was ongoing to determine the exact cause.
He cautioned motorists against excessive speed, route violation, mix-loading and disregard for traffic regulations, particularly along the Potiskum–Damaturu axis due to recurring crashes.
Longkam reaffirmed the commitment of the command to ensuring safer roads through prompt emergency response and sustained public enlightenment in the state.
