Gombe hospital asks for help to find family of hit-and-run victim

The Federal Teaching Hospital in Gombe is asking the public for help. They want to identify and find the relatives of a man who died and has not been claimed. His body has been in the hospital's mortuary for weeks.

In a statement released on Friday by the hospital’s Public Affairs Unit, the man is estimated to be around 35 years old. He was involved in a road accident in the Government Reserved Area of Gombe.

The hospital said a worker from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission brought the victim to them. He was reportedly knocked down by a hit-and-run driver.

The man was admitted to the hospital on Friday, May 15, 2026, but sadly passed away two days later on Sunday, May 17, 2026.

He was described as being about 155.4 centimeters tall. He has noticeable horizontal tribal marks on both cheeks, which might help identify him.

“The deceased is an unknown male of about 35 years of age. He was involved in a pedestrian road traffic accident at GRA, Gombe State, and was brought to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, by an official of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission after being hit by a hit-and-run driver,” the statement said.

It continued, “He was admitted on Friday, May 15, 2026, and unfortunately passed away on Sunday, May 17, 2026. Despite efforts made so far, no relative has come forward to claim the body.”

The hospital is urging anyone who knows the man or has information about his family to reach out. They want to help identify him and make necessary arrangements for his final resting place.

This appeal comes as there are growing worries about the number of accident victims whose bodies go unclaimed in mortuaries. Many families are hard to trace, which leaves these victims without closure.