A somber mood has enveloped Lawanti village in Gombe State following a devastating motor accident that claimed the lives of seven residents. The tragedy occurred on Saturday, December 27, 2025, along the busy Damaturu–Maiduguri highway.
Victims Identified, Journey to Celebration Ends in Tragedy
The victims, who were from the Akko Local Government Area, were on a journey to Maiduguri, Borno State, to attend a wedding ceremony when the fatal crash happened. The community has been left to mourn the loss of individuals whose lives were cut short.
The deceased have been officially identified as:
- Gambo Abbo (35)
- Umalkhairi (18)
- Rabiu Abubakar (28)
- Fatuma Hassan (28)
- Amal Abubakar (3)
- Adamu Bello (4)
- Zara’u Alhaji (27)
The list heartbreakingly includes young children, amplifying the sense of loss for the families and the entire village.
Governor Yahaya Mourns "Painful and Devastating" Loss
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has reacted to the incident, describing it as a profound tragedy. In a statement released by his spokesman, Ismaila Uba Misilli, the governor expressed that the loss is deeply felt beyond just the immediate families.
“The untimely death of such precious souls has deeply touched the hearts of all, and no words can adequately console families who have lost loved ones under such tragic circumstances,” Governor Yahaya stated.
He extended specific condolences to prominent community members who lost relatives, including the District Head of Jalingo, Bello Hassan Babangida, who lost his sister and niece; Idris Lawanti Maigari, who lost his daughter; and the councillor for Akko Ward, Idris A. Isah Lawanti.
The governor prayed for Almighty Allah to grant the bereaved families fortitude, forgive the deceased, and grant them Aljannatul Firdaus.
A Community in Mourning and Broader Road Safety Concerns
The accident has plunged Lawanti village into a state of shock and grief. The sudden nature of the loss, especially during what was meant to be a festive journey, has left residents grappling with immense sorrow.
This incident casts a spotlight once again on the critical issue of road safety along major Nigerian highways. It follows recent reports of public unrest in Damagum, Yobe State, where residents protested after a trailer accident claimed a life on the Damaturu–Potiskum highway, highlighting recurring safety concerns.
Gombe State, located in Nigeria's North-East and often called the “Jewel in the Savannah,” is now the scene of this profound communal tragedy, reminding all of the fragile nature of life and the urgent need for safer road travel.
