By Umar Sa’id, Bauchi
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Bauchi State Command has confirmed that nine people were killed in a fatal road traffic crash that occurred late on Monday along the Bauchi–Maiduguri Federal Highway.
The confirmation was contained in the First Information Report (FIR) issued on Tuesday by the RS12.1 Bauchi Sector Command of the FRSC. The report stated that the multiple-vehicle crash involved two vehicles travelling in opposite directions.
According to the FIR, the crash occurred at about 11:20 p.m. on Monday, May 3, 2026. It was reported to the FRSC at 11:25 p.m., while rescue operatives arrived at the scene at 11:40 p.m., recording a response time of 15 minutes.
The accident occurred near Zangoro Village along the Bauchi–Maiduguri Federal Highway. It involved a Toyota commercial bus with registration number DRZ 133 LG and a MAN Diesel tipper truck, which had no registration number and was being used to transport sand.
The FRSC said the crash involved 17 adult male occupants. Nine of them died and were burnt beyond recognition, while the remaining eight sustained varying degrees of injuries.
The corps identified a tyre burst while in motion as the probable cause of the crash. It added that the damaged vehicles and recovered property were handed over to the Motor Traffic Division (MTD) of the Bauchi State Police Command for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The FRSC rescue team evacuated the victims from the scene and ensured that the injured were taken to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) for treatment. The bodies of the deceased were deposited at the hospital morgue.
