A Toyota Hiace bus with 18 seats, carrying the registration number KTG 283 XA, lost control and plunged into the crowded Damagum market in Yobe State, claiming the lives of a pregnant woman and four others, while leaving 19 people injured.
Livinus Yilzoom, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps in the state, confirmed the number of casualties to Channels TV on Tuesday, stating that the incident occurred on Sunday evening as the victims, who were pedestrians, were returning from the market.
“Note that five persons who died were not occupants of the vehicle, rather, they were pedestrians who were by the roadside waiting to cross.
“The driver, in trying to avoid the pedestrian ran into five persons who were killed as he lost control due to the speed he was travelling. So, far 19 persons were injured and five killed,” he said.
The Commander further mentioned that after receiving the report, the Unit Command at Dogon Kuka deployed a crash investigation team to the site and ensured the victims were taken to Damagum General Hospital for medical care.
Other witnesses who spoke with Channels Television raised concerns about the increasing number of markets located along highways in various communities, especially on market days.
