GOMBE, Nigeria (FN) — Seven people traveling to a wedding were killed Saturday in a crash along the Damaturu–Maiduguri highway, the latest tragedy in a country where dangerous roads, rising kidnappings and soaring airfares have pushed more Nigerians into life‑threatening journeys.
The victims — aged 3 to 35 — were traveling from Lawanti village in Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State when their vehicle collided with a truck near Potiskum. They were headed to Maiduguri for a wedding ceremony.
Authorities identified the dead as:
- Gambo Abbo, 35
- Umalkhairi, 18
- Rabiu Abubakar, 28
- Fatuma Hassan, 28
- Amal Abubakar, 3
- Adamu Bello, 4
- Zara’u Alhaji, 27
A village in mourning
The crash has devastated Lawanti village. A father who lost two daughters said the loss was “too heavy to bear,” noting that one daughter was close to completing nursing school while the other was still in secondary school. Community members described the atmosphere as “silent and broken,” with families burying multiple relatives before sunset.
Gombe State Gov. Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya called the deaths “a painful and devastating loss,” extending condolences to families including the District Head of Jalingo, Bello Hassan Babangida, who lost his sister and niece.
A long history of deadly road accidents
Road crashes are one of Nigeria’s leading causes of death, claiming thousands of lives annually. The Federal Road Safety Corps has repeatedly warned that the combination of speeding, poorly maintained vehicles, and deteriorating highways has created one of the most dangerous road networks in Africa.
Major tragedies — from fuel tanker explosions to overloaded bus crashes — have become common, with mass casualties reported almost monthly across states such as Kaduna, Ogun, Bauchi, and Kogi.
Poor roads and failing infrastructure
Many Nigerian highways are riddled with deep potholes, washed‑out sections, collapsed shoulders, and narrow lanes that force drivers into oncoming traffic. The Damaturu–Maiduguri highway, where Saturday’s crash occurred, is notorious for:
- Long stretches of broken asphalt
- Heavy truck traffic
- Limited lighting
- Poor emergency response access
Residents say the road has not seen meaningful repairs in years.
Kidnappings push travelers onto even riskier routes
Beyond road conditions, Nigeria’s highways have become hotspots for kidnappings, especially in the northwest and north‑central regions. Armed groups frequently block roads, abduct passengers, and demand ransoms.
To avoid known kidnapping corridors, many travelers take longer, unfamiliar routes — often in worse condition — increasing the risk of fatal accidents.
High airfares leave many with no choice but to travel by road
With domestic airfares rising sharply in recent years, many Nigerians say flying is no longer affordable. A one‑hour flight can cost more than a month’s salary for many families, forcing millions to rely on road transport despite the dangers.
Families of the Gombe victims said the group chose to travel by road because flying to Maiduguri was “far beyond what anyone could afford.”
A tragedy that reflects a national crisis
Saturday’s crash has renewed calls for urgent investment in Nigeria’s transportation infrastructure and stronger enforcement of road safety laws. For Lawanti village, however, the focus remains on mourning — and on the seven lives lost on what should have been a joyful journey.
