FIVE DEAD AS MILITARY VEHICLE CRASHES INTO TARABA MARKET

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By:Tajudeen Aminat

Five traders were reportedly killed while several others sustained injuries after a military vehicle attached to the Forward Operating Base, Wukari, crashed into traders at Peva Market in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State.

The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon, leaving traders and residents of the community in mourning.

The vehicle was reportedly escorting traders travelling from Wukari to Takum to provide security along the route, which has experienced repeated cases of kidnapping and killings.

A resident, Tony David, who confirmed the incident in a telephone interview, said the victims were among traders who had displayed their goods by the roadside when the military vehicle allegedly lost control and rammed into them.

According to David, personnel from FOB Wukari had accompanied the traders to the market as part of efforts to protect them, particularly along the troubled Chanchanji axis.

He said five people died in the crash, while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

David added that the bodies of the deceased and the injured victims were taken to Takum General Hospital for treatment and other necessary procedures.

The incident has triggered grief among residents and traders, with calls for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

There were also unverified allegations that the driver of the military vehicle was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident. However, the claim could not be independently confirmed as of the time of filing this report.

Peva Market is located within Chanchanji Ward, an area that has faced persistent security challenges, including attacks and kidnapping.

When contacted, the Acting Public Relations Officer of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, Jalingo, Lieutenant Umar Mohammed, said he was looking into the incident.

“I’m on it. I will get back to you on it soon,” he said.

The Taraba State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Victor Mshelizah, also confirmed awareness of the incident through a social media post.

He said he would contact the Divisional Police Officer in Takum to verify the casualty figures and obtain further details.

“I saw a post on the incident on a platform; as soon as I get details of the incident from the DPO in Takum, I will get back to you,” he said.