NIGERIA: In what residents are describing as a heartbreaking tragedy, five members of the same family have lost their lives in a road accident along the busy Damaturu–Maiduguri highway in Yobe State.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, involved residents of Potiskum Local Government Area and has plunged the community into mourning. Three other relatives sustained varying degrees of injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Damaturu, the state capital.
The victims were identified as Hajjagana Dahiru Zayi, Ibrahim Dahiru Zayi, Muhammad Dahiru Zayi, Hauwa Dahiru Zayi, and another family member.
A Family’s Grief
A relative of the victims, Dahiru Musa Talba, confirmed the development in a post on his Facebook page on Wednesday, describing the incident as devastating.
“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. My mom has died,” he wrote, using the Arabic phrase recited by Muslims upon hearing news of death.
The post quickly drew an outpouring of condolences from friends, neighbours, and well-wishers across the state, reflecting the close-knit nature of communities in the region, where the loss of a family resonates far beyond immediate relatives.
Police Confirmation
The Yobe State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, confirmed the accident, noting that five persons were confirmed dead while others sustained injuries.
“The accident involved members of the same family. Five persons were confirmed dead, while others sustained varying degrees of injuries,” he said.
Abdulkarim added that an investigation is currently ongoing to ascertain the cause of the accident. The Damaturu–Maiduguri highway, where the crash occurred, is a major route known for heavy vehicular movement, linking Yobe to Borno State.
Governor’s Condolence
Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State has commiserated with the father of the victims, Alhaji Mohammad Dahiru Zayi, over the unfortunate accident.
In a statement signed by Malam Mamman Muhammad, Director General of Press and Media Affairs to the Governor, Buni said he received with sadness the shocking news of the death of five members of the Muhammad Dahiru Zayi family in a tragic motor traffic accident.
The Governor described the accident as terrifying, sad, and devastating.
“This is a sad, very unfortunate and a trying moment for the family and the entire state,” he said. “We pray to Allah (SWT) to forgive their shortcomings and grant their souls abode in Jannatu Firdaus.”
Buni noted that the pain of losing five members of a family in a single road accident is beyond imagination, adding: “However, as faithful, we believe that this is their appointed time.”
The Governor prayed to Almighty Allah to grant Muhammad Zayi the fortitude to bear the huge and irreparable loss.
A Dangerous Highway
Residents of the area described the incident as heartbreaking and called on motorists to exercise caution while plying the Damaturu–Maiduguri highway to prevent further loss of lives.
The route, which serves as a vital link between Yobe and Borno states, has witnessed several fatal accidents over the years, often attributed to speeding, poor road conditions, and the heavy volume of commercial and military vehicles moving through the region.
For communities along the highway, each accident brings renewed calls for improved road safety measures, including stricter enforcement of speed limits and better road maintenance.
Conclusion
For the Zayi family, the loss of five members in a single day is a tragedy beyond words. For the community of Potiskum, it is a moment of collective grief. For Yobe State, it is another reminder of the dangers that lurk on a road that thousands travel every day.
As investigations continue into the cause of the crash, the focus for now remains on the families left behind — those mourning, those recovering from injuries, and a community grappling with the weight of a devastating loss
