Tragedy struck on Friday at the busy Mile 6 Market in Jalingo when a tipper truck loaded with shaft sand lost control and ploughed into a crowd of traders and shoppers, leaving several people dead and many others injured.

Eyewitnesses said the incident occurred after one of the truck’s tyres reportedly burst while it was travelling at high speed, causing the driver to lose control. The vehicle veered off the road and crashed into the crowded marketplace.

“It happened so fast. The truck was speeding, and after the tyre burst, the driver couldn’t steer. It just rammed into people,” a local vendor told our correspondent.

Emergency responders, including police officers and medical personnel, were observed to have arrived swiftly at the scene to rescue victims and transport the injured to nearby hospitals.

Authorities, at the time of filing this report, have yet to confirm the exact number of casualties as efforts continue to identify victims and notify their families.

The driver of the truck, as gathered by The Guardian, has been arrested and taken into police custody for further investigation.

Local officials have appealed for calm in the community and assured residents that they will provide support to those affected by the tragedy.

The accident has left the city of Jalingo in shock, prompting renewed calls for stricter road safety measures and enforcement to prevent similar disasters from occurring. (The Guardian)