No fewer than five members of the same family have died in a tragic road accident along the 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.
A relative of the victims, Dahiru Musa Talba, confirmed the development in a Facebook post. He disclosed that five family members lost their lives in the crash, while three others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
According to Talba, the injured victims were rushed to the General Hospital in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, where they are currently receiving treatment.
Describing the incident as devastating, he expressed deep grief over the loss.
“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. My mom has died,” he wrote.
He added that the accident occurred along the busy Damaturu–Maiduguri highway, a route known for heavy vehicular traffic.
Confirming the incident, the Yobe State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, said five persons were confirmed dead, while others sustained injuries.
He noted that an investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the accident.
“The accident involved members of the same family. Five persons were confirmed dead, while others sustained varying degrees of injuries,” he said.
The deceased were identified as Hajjagana Dahiru Zayi, Ibrahim Dahiru Zayi, Muhammad Dahiru Zayi, Hauwa Dahiru Zayi, and another family member.
Residents described the incident as heartbreaking and urged motorists to exercise caution on the highway to prevent further loss of lives.
Meanwhile, Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, has commiserated with the father of the victims, Alhaji Mohammad Dahiru Zayi, over the tragic loss.
In a statement signed by Malam Mamman Muhammad, Director-General, Press and Media Affairs to the Governor, Buni said he received the news with deep sadness, describing the accident as “terrifying, tragic and devastating.”
“This is a sad, very unfortunate and trying moment for the family and the entire state.
“We pray to Allah (SWT) to forgive their shortcomings and grant their souls eternal rest in Jannatul Firdaus,” the governor said.
He added that the loss of five family members in a single accident is unimaginable, noting that, as believers, “we accept that this is their appointed time.”
The governor also prayed for Allah to grant the bereaved family the strength to bear the irreparable loss.
(Daily Trust)
