By Adesakin Adefemi
A truck loaded with sand has rammed into the main gate of the Gombe State Government House, causing significant damage to the structure.
The incident occurred around 12:55 p.m. on Tuesday and involved a gate reportedly constructed as part of ongoing renovation projects under Governor Muhammadu Yahaya.
Eyewitnesses said the truck lost control before crashing into the multi-million-naira facility. “I was standing across the road when I saw the truck approaching at speed. Suddenly, the driver seemed to lose control, and the vehicle veered off and hit the gate,” said a trader, Musa Abdullahi.
Another witness, a commercial motorcyclist, Ibrahim Sadiq, said the crash could have been worse if pedestrians were nearby. “It happened very fast. People started running when they saw the truck coming. Thankfully, no one was injured,” he said.
A security aide in the vicinity, who spoke on condition of anonymity, noted that the impact caused significant damage to the newly installed gate. “The gate is part of the ongoing renovation. The force of the crash bent parts of the structure,” the aide said.
The vehicle is alleged to belong to Tricata Nigeria Ltd, although its registration number was not made available at the scene. Confirming the incident, Director-General of Press Affairs, Gombe Government House, Ismaila Misilli, said there was no loss of life.
“It happened, but we thank God there was no loss of life. The driver only sustained injury, and he is receiving treatment,” Misilli added. The Government House is currently undergoing extensive renovation and rehabilitation as part of the administration’s infrastructure projects across the state.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of the government’s infrastructure projects. The Gombe State Government has not released a statement on the cause of the incident or the extent of the damage.
The incident is a reminder of the importance of safety measures in construction and infrastructure projects. It is hoped that the government will take steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.
