5 SIBLINGS KILLED AS TANKER RAMS INTO TRICYCLE IN GOMBE

Five children from the same family have died after a water tanker collided with a commercial tricycle taking them to school in Gombe metropolis.

The crash occurred on Tuesday morning near Kanady Academy, along APC Square in the Government Reserved Area of the state capital.

The children were identified as Maryam, Usman, Hauwau, Aliyu and Fatima Mansir Adamu.

Maryam and Usman were Primary Five pupils at Jekadafari Primary School. Hauwau attended Government Junior Secondary School, Jekadafari, while Aliyu attended Government Day Secondary School, Ahmadu Gombe. Fatima’s school was not stated.

Three other children were injured and taken to hospital for treatment.

The Federal Road Safety Corps Sector Commander in Gombe, Samson Kaura, confirmed the incident. He said officers arrived after the initial rescue operation and later visited the hospital to establish the number of casualties.

A hospital source said the injured victims and the drivers involved were taken to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, for medical attention. The bodies of the five siblings were deposited at the mortuary.

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya described the deaths as heartbreaking and a devastating loss to the family, their schools and the state.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Ismaila Uba Misilli, the governor expressed condolences to the children’s parents and the Jekadafari community. He also prayed for the recovery of the injured children.

Yahaya urged motorists to obey traffic rules, maintain safe speeds and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy. He called for particular care when transporting schoolchildren and other vulnerable passengers.

He prayed for the deceased children and for strength for their family to bear the loss.