Many feared dead as tipper rams into traders, others in Taraba

By Godwin Agia, Jalingo

Tragedy struck on Friday at the bustling Mile 6 Market in Jalingo, Taraba State, after a tipper loaded with sand lost control and rammed into a crowd of traders and shoppers, reportedly leaving several people dead and many others injured.

The  suspected articulated vehicle-ramming tragic incident, triggered a palpable tension at the time of filing this report.

Eyewitnesses said the accident occurred after one of the truck’s tyres reportedly bursted while it was moving at high speed, thereby causing the driver to lose control.

The truck was said to have veered off the road, and crashed into the crowded marketplace.

“It happened so fast. The truck was speeding, and after the tyre burst, the driver couldn’t steer. It just ran into people”, said a local vendor who witnessed the incident

It was observed that  emergency responders, including police officers and medical teams, at the time of filing this report, have arrived at the scene to rescue victims and convey the injured to nearby hospitals.

However, authorities are yet to confirm the exact number of casualties, as efforts are still  ongoing to identify victims and reach out to their families.

The driver of the truck, as gathered by our Correspondent, has been arrested and  taken into police custody  for further investigation.

Meanwhile, local officials who spoke with our correspondent  appealed for calm in the community, pledging support for those affected by the incident.

Also, the accident has left residents of Jalingo in shock, prompting renewed calls for stricter road safety measures and enforcement to prevent such tragedies from reoccurring.