By: Araphat Dimah

In a devastating incident last night, March 4, 2024, two promising young footballers lost their lives in a horrifying motor accident between Gwollu and Bulu.

The victims have been identified as Alhassan Sumani, in his late 20s, and Nafiew Yakubu, in his mid-20s, both hailing from Gwollu.The accident occurred around 10 pm as the two athletes were traveling in opposite directions on the road connecting Gwollu and Bulu.

Eyewitnesses reported that Alhassan,Sumani, a footballer with Hillia Stars FC who was riding from Gwollu to Bulu, collided with Nafiew Yakubu, a player of Funsi Soccer Babies, heading in the opposite direction.

The collision occurred near a valley entering the Bulu community, marked by a sharp bend and a deteriorated portion of the road.Tragically, both individuals were severely injured in the crashed. Alhassan, in his last moments of consciousness, pleaded with eyewitnesses, saying, “Please help us if not we will not make it.” He admitted to the onlookers that they were speeding at the time of the accident.

The injured footballers were rushed to the Gwollu District Hospital, but one was pronounced dead on arrival, while the other succumbed to his injuries later.Eyewitnesses and reports indicate that the severity of the crashed caused one of the bikes to catch fire.Heartbreakingly, the responsiveness of the health system has come questionable as some eyewitnesses claimed that calls to the ambulance service were delayed, potentially wasting precious time that could have saved a life. Some argued that a more prompt response could have prevented the tragic outcome.

According to reports, members of the bereaved families experienced overwhelming grief upon hearing of the accident, with some collapsing at the heartbreaking news. However, they have since been stabilized after receiving medical attention.Nafiew, one of the deceased, leaves behind a wife and a one-year-old child, adding to the sorrow of the community.

Reports suggest that both victims suffered severe chest injuries during the collision, further emphasizing the brutal nature of the accident.