At least seven people have lost their lives and 41 others have sustained varying degrees of injuries in a fatal crash along the Alkaleri–Gombe Federal Highway in Bauchi State.
The tragic incident, which occurred around 3:00 p.m. at Kirfi Junction, was confirmed in an updated First Information Report (FIR) by the RS12.13 Alkaleri Unit Command of the Bauchi State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). The report was made available to Newsmen on Friday.
According to the FRSC, the lone crash involved a commercial DAF trailer and was caused by a mechanical fault — specifically, a structural failure in which the head of the trailer detached from its body while in motion.
The crash involved a total of 48 people: 38 adult males and 10 male children. Of these, seven adult males died at the scene, while 41 others — 25 adult males and 16 male children — sustained serious injuries.
FRSC personnel responded to the distress call at 3:02 p.m. and arrived at the scene by 3:50 p.m., recording a response time of 48 minutes. The injured victims were rushed to the General Hospital in Alkaleri, with some later referred to the Specialist Hospital in Bauchi for advanced medical care.
The remains of the deceased were deposited at the hospital morgue before being released to their families for burial.
The rescue operation was led by DRC H.Y. Danjuma on behalf of the Unit Commander.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, visited Kirfi Local Government Area on Friday to commiserate with the victims and their families.
The governor announced a N50 million relief package, pledging N2 million to each bereaved family, N1 million to each victim still receiving treatment, and N500,000 to victims already discharged.
He added that the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) would provide additional support.
Governor Mohammed described the accident as deeply painful, particularly because many of the victims were young.
He condemned the practice of transporting large numbers of people in a single truck, calling it highly irresponsible and unacceptable.
“The loss of these lives is a tragedy that could have been avoided. We must put an end to such dangerous practices,” the governor said.
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