The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has confirmed that five people lost their lives and 13 others sustained injuries in a lone truck accident that occurred along the Billiri-Gombe Road in Gombe State on Sunday.
Mr. Samson Kaura, the FRSC Sector Commander in Gombe State, disclosed the details of the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe. He stated that the crash took place around 7:20 a.m. at Tashan Gona in Billiri town, located in Billiri Local Government Area.
According to Kaura, the crash involved 18 individuals—eight male adults and 10 female adults. Sadly, five persons, including two men and three women, were confirmed dead. Thirteen others—comprising 10 women and three men—sustained various degrees of injuries, such as fractures and open wounds.
The deceased victims were transported to the General Hospital in Billiri, while the injured were taken to multiple health facilities for treatment, including the General Hospital, Amana Clinic, Lafiya Clinic in Billiri, and the Gombe Specialist Hospital.
Kaura identified speed violation as the major cause of the accident and emphasized the need for drivers to adhere strictly to a 30 km/h speed limit, especially in built-up areas, to minimize crash impacts and fatalities. He also confirmed that the truck driver had been arrested by officers from the Billiri Police Division and would face prosecution.
In a related development, Buhari Abdullahi, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Gombe State, also confirmed the incident. He noted that the accident had initially caused tension in the community, as the truck had hit individuals returning from an Easter prayer ground.
Abdullahi further revealed that the truck, which was loaded with grains, was set ablaze by angry residents, who also attempted to lynch the driver. However, the timely intervention of the police prevented further violence.
He assured the public that normalcy had been restored to the area and that traffic had resumed smoothly, urging residents to remain calm.
