An 18-seater Toyota Hiace bus with registration number KTG 283 XA rammed into the busy Damagum market in Yobe State, killing five people, including a pregnant woman, and injuring 19 others.
The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in the state, Livinus Yilzoom, confirmed the incident, which occurred Sunday evening as traders were leaving the market.
“The five victims were not passengers but pedestrians standing by the roadside,” Yilzoom stated. “The driver, speeding, lost control and hit them while trying to avoid a pedestrian.”
Upon receiving the report, personnel from the FRSC Unit Command in Dogon Kuka responded swiftly, evacuating the victims to Damagum General Hospital for treatment.
Preliminary investigation revealed that speed limit violation and loss of control were the immediate causes of the crash.
Residents also expressed concern over the increasing trend of locating markets close to highways, especially on market days, describing it as a major safety risk.
