A tragic road accident has claimed the lives of seven individuals in Yobe State, following a violent collision between two vehicles on Thursday afternoon.
Details of the Fatal Collision
The Yobe State Police Command confirmed the incident occurred at approximately 1:20 PM on Thursday, January 15, 2026. The crash took place at Gaggaba Village, within the Damagum area along the busy Damaturu-Damagum Road in Fune Local Government Area.
Police spokesman Dungus Abdulkarim provided details of the vehicles involved. According to his statement, a DAF trailer with registration number DAL 963 YY was traveling from Lagos to Maiduguri. It was driven by 35-year-old Malam Abubakar from Maiduguri, Borno State.
The other vehicle was a Mitsubishi Canter with registration number XA 437 NNR. Its driver was identified as Salisu Ibrahim from Dirra Village, via Fune Local Government Area.
Cause and Immediate Aftermath
Preliminary investigation by the police indicates that the Mitsubishi Canter was being driven at excessive speed. Upon reaching a point at Gaggaba Village, it reportedly veered off its lane and crashed head-on into the oncoming DAF trailer.
The impact of the collision was catastrophic. All seven occupants of both vehicles died instantly at the scene. The fatalities included both drivers, three passengers in the trailer, and two occupants of the Mitsubishi Canter.
Police Response and Broader Safety Concerns
The Commissioner of Police in Yobe State, Emmanuel Ado, expressed deep sympathy to the families of the deceased. He also voiced serious concern over the increasing number of road traffic accidents in the state.
Commissioner Ado highlighted a grim statistic, noting that road accidents claimed 120 lives across Yobe State in the year 2025 alone. He emphasized that this recurring tragedy requires collective solutions and greater public vigilance to prevent further loss of life on the roads.
The police have launched a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash, while emergency services managed the aftermath at the scene.
