Four people were burned beyond recognition, and ten others sustained injuries after fire engulfed a Hummer bus in Jigawa State on February 22, 2025.
The incident occurred around 4:00 pm near Government Girls Unity Secondary School in Gwaram.
According to the spokesperson for the Jigawa State Police Command, SP Lawan Adam, in a statement on Sunday, the bus was travelling from Zaki Local Government Area in Bauchi State to Rabadi village in Gwaram Local Government Area when the fire broke out.
“The vehicle was carrying 44 passengers, including 25 adults and 19 children,” Adam said.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire started when the vehicle’s exhaust came into contact with a mattress tied to the back of the bus, igniting flames that quickly spread.
“The victims were identified as Zuwairah Hassan, 40; Fatima Hassan, 5; Iyatale Hassan, 3; and Halima Muhammad, 10 — all from Saldiga village in Zaki LGA, Bauchi State,” the statement further read.
Ten injured passengers were taken to Gwaram Cottage Hospital, while the remaining passengers were safely evacuated. The bodies of the deceased were handed over to their families after medical examination.
The Jigawa State Police Command has urged commercial drivers to prioritise safety, avoid overloading, and conduct routine vehicle checks.
“We urge all drivers to be mindful of the safety of their passengers and other road users.
“Overloading and reckless driving can have devastating consequences, as we have seen in this tragic incident,” Adam said.
Police investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the fire and any possible negligence, the statement concluded.
(PUNCH)