A routine evening at the bustling Damagum Market in Yobe State turned into a scene of horror and heartbreak on Sunday, as a speeding 18-seater Toyota Hiace bus lost control and ploughed into a crowd of unsuspecting pedestrians, killing five people — including a pregnant woman — and injuring 19 others.
The fatal crash occurred just as traders and customers were winding down for the day. According to eyewitnesses, the bus, with registration number KTG 283 XA, veered off the road at high speed and rammed into the roadside crowd, sending bodies flying and plunging the market into chaos.
Officials say all five deceased were pedestrians, not passengers of the ill-fated vehicle. “They were standing by the roadside, likely waiting to cross, when the bus rammed into them,” confirmed Livinus Yilzoom, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Yobe State.
“The driver, in an attempt to avoid the pedestrians, lost control due to excessive speed and crashed into them,” Yilzoom said grimly. “This crash was entirely avoidable. It was caused by speed limit violations and driver negligence.”
Upon receiving a distress call, the FRSC Unit Command at Dogon Kuka swiftly deployed a crash investigation team to the scene. Emergency responders worked tirelessly to evacuate the victims — both the dead and the injured — to the Damagum General Hospital for immediate medical attention.
The injured, numbering 19, are currently receiving treatment, with several reported to be in critical condition.
The tragic incident has once again drawn attention to the persistent issue of reckless driving on Nigerian roads, particularly in densely populated and commercial zones.
“We urge all motorists to strictly adhere to traffic regulations, especially in crowded areas like markets and schools,” Yilzoom pleaded. “One moment of carelessness can lead to irreversible tragedy.”
As investigations continue, the Yobe State FRSC has vowed to intensify road safety campaigns and enforce stricter penalties for traffic violations in a bid to prevent similar occurrences.
The Damagum Market, once known for its lively trade and communal spirit, now bears the scars of sorrow, mourning the loss of innocent lives cut short by a reckless driver and a system that often overlooks road safety enforcement.
PIONEER NEWS 