Bus rams into pedestrians, kills 5, injures 19 in Yobe
At least five persons have been confirmed dead after a Toyota bus reportedly rammed into pedestrians along Kano-Maiduguri expressway.
It was learnt that the incident occurred on Monday at about 1 p.m at Damagum weekly market, Fune Local Government Area of Yobe State.
No fewer than 19 persons also reportedly sustained injuries in the crash.
A source in the market told Daily Trust that the accident was caused by speeding and loss of control by the driver.
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“Yesterday (Monday) was a market day in Damagum. People from different parts of the state are buying and selling their goods here.
“The guy was carrying passengers from Damaturu to Potiskum when the incident occurred. It seems the driver lost the control of his vehicle and rammed into pedestrians who are mostly traders.
“Six people have lost their lives including a pregnant woman while a number of people sustained injuries,” the source said.
The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Yobe State Command, Livinus Longzen Yilzoom, said five persons lost their lives while 19 were injured
He said the accident happened when the driver cited people trying to cross the highway linking Kano-Jigawa-Azare-Damaturu-Maiduguri road, forcing him to seek an alternative.
“Damagum has a weekly market. We have been warning people to stop selling their goods by roadsides but they are not compliant. Preliminary investigation revealed that the driver was driving at high speed when a lot of people and activities were going by the roadside.
“There were some people who tried to cross the road. In a bid to avoid an accident, he applied brakes, which failed and lost the control of the vehicle. He rammed into pedestrians. So far, five people have been confirmed dead while 19 people sustained injuries.
“This happened as a result of high speed, loss of control and a lot of pedestrians by the roadside,” he stated.
The sector commander sympathised with the families of the deceased, the people of Damagum and entire Yobe State over the unfortunate incident.
