A devastating road traffic collision on the Tambuwal-Sokoto road in Sokoto State has tragically claimed the lives of at least six individuals, including three members of the same family. The incident, involving a FishEye Wagon carrying approximately nine passengers, occurred on Thursday afternoon just before Shagari town.
Eyewitnesses and those familiar with the unfortunate event reported that the A1 wagon, which was travelling from Tambuwal towards Sokoto, was involved in a collision with a trailer. Imrana Zaki Tambuwal, who has knowledge of the incident, informed Daily Trust that the wagon had picked up passengers in Tambuwal after dropping off others it had transported from Sokoto. He confirmed that the driver was en route to Sokoto when the fatal accident transpired.
Family's Tragic Journey
The tragedy is particularly poignant for the family of Abdurrahman Maidamma Tambuwal, who is a relative of three of the victims. He recounted that his family members were travelling to Sokoto to visit a female relative who had fallen ill. The woman, who works for their elder sister and regularly commutes between Sokoto and Tambuwal, had reportedly become unwell in Sokoto. Initial fears that she had passed away later gave way to the grim understanding that she was in a prolonged coma.
"This was why four of them arranged to travel to Sokoto to check on her," Maidamma explained. He expressed profound sorrow over the loss of his relatives, describing how the family was plunged into chaos upon receiving the news of the catastrophe. He noted a distressing detail: the victims had said their goodbyes to various people before embarking on their journey, a gesture that now, in retrospect, seemed like a final farewell to the world.
"We were thrown into confusion when we received the news of their death. Before they left, they said goodbye to people, and looking back now, it was as if they were bidding farewell to the world," he recounted.
The family members who perished in the accident were identified as Rukayya Ahmad Gohe, her daughter Mupeedah Abubakar, and her sister Atika Ahmad Gohe. Rukayya's son, Ishaq Abubakar, also a passenger, sustained injuries and is currently receiving medical attention at a healthcare facility in Sokoto.
Victims Identified
Imrana Zaki provided further details on the casualties, stating that five of the deceased were from Tambuwal. These individuals were identified as Atika Ahmad Gohe, Rukayya Ahmad Gohe, Mupeedah Abubakar, Umar Ma’azu (who was also travelling to see a doctor), and Janaidu Aliyu. The sixth victim was the driver, whose identity was not immediately available as he hailed from Sokoto town. Additionally, three other passengers from Tambuwal sustained injuries and are undergoing treatment in hospital.
The deceased were laid to rest at approximately 5 pm on Thursday, in accordance with Islamic customs.
When contacted for additional information, SC Abdulganiyyu Romo, the spokesperson for the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Sokoto State, stated he was away in Katsina for a training programme for newly recruited personnel, and thus unable to provide immediate details.