A tragic road accident in northern Nigeria claimed one life and left 87 people injured on New Year's Eve, highlighting the dangers of overloading vehicles on busy routes.
The incident happened around 2 p.m. on Wednesday along the Potiskum–Azare Road, near the entrance roundabout in Potiskum Local Government Area of Yobe State.
The trailer, packed with nearly 100 passengers heading from Katagum in Bauchi State to the bustling Potiskum cattle market, suddenly lost control and overturned. Many riders had chosen the trailer because regular transport was scarce on market day, even though they knew the risks.
Survivor Amir Dauda, speaking from his bed at Potiskum Specialist Hospital, recalled the chaos: "We were approaching the roundabout when the driver maneuvered, and the whole thing just tumbled. It was so quick—people screaming, bodies piling on top of each other."
Another passenger, Ibrahim Sadiq, explained they boarded despite the overload to reach the market early. Musa Adamu described rescuers rushing in as injured victims cried for help amid the wreckage.Yobe State Police spokesman SP Dungus Abdulkarim confirmed the toll—one fatality and 87 injuries. The victims were quickly taken to Potiskum Specialist Hospital, where the emergency ward was overwhelmed, with many lying on the floor due to limited beds.
The deceased was moved to the morgue.Early probes point to overloading as the main cause. Abdulkarim urged drivers to follow traffic rules, warning that investigations are ongoing and action will follow if needed.This crash underscores persistent road safety issues in Nigeria, especially with heavy vehicles carrying passengers informally. As families ring in 2026 with grief, calls grow louder for better enforcement and alternatives to risky travel.
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