At least five members of a single family have died in a tragic road accident on the Damaturu–Maiduguri highway in Yobe State. The victims, residents of Potiskum Local Government Area, were involved in the crash on Wednesday, leaving the community in mourning.
A relative, Dahiru Musa Talba, confirmed the loss on social media, revealing that three other family members sustained injuries and are receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Damaturu. He described the incident as devastating.
According to a family friend, Suraj Muh’d Jaji Guyik, the family was returning from a condolence visit when the accident occurred along the busy highway. He thanked medical staff and local authorities for their prompt response, adding prayers for the departed souls.
The Yobe State Police Public Relations Officer, Dungus Abdulkarim, confirmed the fatalities and said investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the accident. The deceased were identified as Hajjagana Dahiru Zayi, Ibrahim Dahiru Zayi, Muhammad Dahiru Zayi, Hauwa Dahiru Zayi, and another family member.
Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State expressed sympathy to the bereaved father, Alhaji Mohammad Dahiru Zayi, describing the incident as “terrifying, tragic, and devastating.” He prayed for eternal rest for the victims and strength for the family to bear the loss.
The accident highlights the growing concern over road safety in Nigeria, with stakeholders pointing to factors such as poor driver training and inadequate regulation as contributing to frequent crashes. Residents have called for heightened caution and improved safety measures on highways to prevent further tragedies.
