From Sule Aliyu, Bauchi
The Bauchi State Commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, Ahmad Aliyu Jalam has died in a ghastly motor accident that occurred along Misau -Darazo road.
In a statement confirming the tragedy, Comrade Mukhtar Gidado Jarman Alkaleri, Special Adviser to the Governor Bala Muhammàd on Media and Publicity said the tragic accident occurred on Misau – Darazo highway leading to his immediate death.
“It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that we announce the sudden death of the Honorable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Bauchi State , Hon . Ahmad Aliyu Jalam ( Maikankana ) who died as a result of a ghastly motor accident on Saturday 1st June , 2024.”
It further states that Hon Ahmad Jalam was a dedicated public servant, whose commitment to the development and well-being of his local communities was unwavering.
During his life time he championed numerous initiatives aimed at improving good governance and community relations .
Late Ahmad Aliyu Jalam died and left behind wives and many children and has since been buried today in his home town , Jalam , Dambam local Government Area of Bauchi State
Meanwhile, 6 traders have reportedly lost their lives due to severe rainstorms accompanied by strong winds at the IBB Square in Bauchi state, venue of the just concluded North East Trade Fair.
The north east states include Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe states.
The triumph reports that the Trade Fair was organized by the North East Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mine, and Agriculture and supported by the six states of the region.
Nigeria’s Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, inaugurated the 15th Edition of the Joint Domestic Northeast Trade Fair at IBB square Bauchi on May 18, 2024
Our correspondent gathered that the storm, which began last night, killed four people on the spot and caused significant damage to the Gombe and Yobe States pavilions, as well as several business tents within the trade fair complex.
Two other injured victims were said to have later died at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH).
Spokesman of the Bauchi Police Command, SP Ahmad Muhammad Wakil, confirmed the incident in a statement made available to journalists on Sunday.
He identified those who lost their lives in the incident as Abdullahi Abubakar, 38, of Yakubu Wanka; Sadik Ahmed Alfa, 32, of Fadaman Mada; Malam Musa from Maliya Furnitures, Tudun Salmanu; and Abdulaziz Abdulrahman from Gombe State, while one Fatima Isa, 31, of Inkil, is currently receiving medical treatment and showing positive signs of recovery.
“Tragically, five individuals were found under the fallen structures and were promptly taken to the hospital.
Some of the eyewitness who occupying some of the attachment shops there at the trade fair lamented on the buildings of the structured destroyed by the windstorm says is substandard used materials by the contractors, while other says is the act of God that leads to the death of the victims
Answering reporters questions, the state commissioner of commerce and Industry Mahmood Baba Ma’aji who is also in charge of the trade fair confirmed the destruction caused by heavy rain fall and windstorm around eight 8:30 on Saturday night
“this incident occurred around 8 o’clock yesterday it was due to heavy downpour and strong windstorm that occured, and the state government is not happy with what had happened and the is the work of God is not something that you put the blame on a contractor or any individuals so this has happened and also affected some part of the metropolis.
“Certainly the trade fair has closed about four day ago or so now, and people are still doing some little businesses there is not those that participated fully there occupied those places involved in this tragedy , the people should now leave the place the government has asked them to leave the place so they take a stand on it” he said.
“I was there last night government have put effort together with the support of state emergency management SEMA and the fire service officials they were the ones rescued the injured ones and those that lost their lives instantly, he added.