Tragedy struck on Wednesday, May 21, at about 12:00 p.m. along the busy Gombe–Yola Federal Highway near the New Mile 3 Market in Gombe after a heavy-duty DAF truck loaded with bags of grain reportedly lost control and crashed into a crowded commercial area, killing a female police officer and an unidentified male pedestrian.
The fatal accident occurred in the densely populated market area while traders, motorists, and residents were carrying out their daily activities. According to reports, the truck, which was said to be coming from the Taraba axis, allegedly suffered brake failure while attempting to enter a filling station through a one-way route, causing the driver to lose control before ramming into pedestrians, motorcycles, roadside shops, and business stands.
The deceased police officer was identified as Woman Police Constable Sharifa Gaina. Witnesses said she died instantly at the scene alongside an unidentified male victim following the devastating impact of the crash.
Two other persons, including the truck driver, reportedly sustained injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. The extent of their injuries was not immediately confirmed.
Eyewitness accounts revealed that the truck suddenly veered off course after the driver reportedly lost control completely due to the alleged brake failure. The situation caused panic in the busy commercial area as traders and residents scrambled for safety.
The truck subsequently ploughed into roadside structures, motorcycles, and pedestrians, leaving behind massive destruction. Several shops and business stands in the area were reportedly damaged during the incident.
Shop owners and traders were later seen assessing the level of destruction and counting their losses as sympathisers gathered around the crash scene. The accident also caused heavy traffic congestion along the busy highway for several hours.
Residents have since expressed concern over the increasing number of accidents involving heavy-duty trucks on major highways, urging relevant authorities to intensify vehicle inspections and enforce stricter road safety measures to prevent similar incidents.
Security operatives and emergency responders were later deployed to the scene to evacuate victims, clear the wreckage, and restore normal movement while investigations into the incident continue.
