A devastating tragedy unfolded on Friday, June 27, at the bustling Mile 6 Market in Jalingo, Taraba State, when a heavily loaded tipper truck veered off the road and rammed into a crowd of traders and shoppers. The fatal accident claimed multiple lives and left many others injured.
According to eyewitness accounts, the incident occurred when one of the truck’s tyres reportedly burst while it was moving at high speed. The driver, unable to regain control, lost steering power, causing the vehicle to swerve violently into the densely packed marketplace.
“It all happened in an instant,” recounted a local vendor who narrowly escaped the chaos. “The truck was speeding, then we heard a loud pop. The next moment, it was ploughing through people.”
The impact of the crash sent shockwaves through the city, with several market stalls destroyed and victims trapped under the vehicle. Onlookers were thrown into panic as screams filled the air and people scrambled to rescue the injured.
Emergency responders, including police officers and medical teams, arrived promptly at the scene to manage the situation. Victims were quickly evacuated and rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent treatment. The exact number of casualties has not yet been confirmed as rescue and identification efforts were still ongoing at the time of this report.
Authorities confirmed that the truck driver has been arrested and is currently in police custody, where he will assist with investigations into the cause of the crash.
In the aftermath of the accident, local officials appealed for calm and extended their condolences to the families of the victims. They also promised support for those affected by the tragedy.
The horrific incident has thrown the entire Jalingo community into mourning and reignited public outcry over the need for stricter traffic regulations and more robust vehicle inspections.
Residents are calling on the government to enforce road safety measures more rigorously in order to prevent such avoidable disasters in the future.