Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja, Nigeria — A devastating road traffic accident has claimed the lives of at least 18 people, including children, along the Dutse–Kwanar Babaldu (or Kwanar Huguma) highway in Jigawa State, authorities confirmed this week. The multiple-vehicle collision, one of the deadliest in the region in recent months, occurred on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, and has reignited urgent calls for improved road safety measures nationwide.
According to statements from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Jigawa, the crash happened at approximately 12:15 p.m. in Danmasara village, Dutse Local Government Area. The collision involved two Volkswagen cars — described in several reports as Golf models — and a tipper truck. Authorities said the tragic sequence began when one of the Volkswagens suffered a tyre burst, causing the driver to lose control and veer into the path of the oncoming vehicle. Seconds later, a truck collided with both vehicles, crushing them and leading to heavy casualties.
FRSC officials, including the sector’s Corps Route Commander, Yahaya Ibrahim, stressed that excessive speeding and poor vehicle maintenance contributed to the loss of control that precipitated the crash. Preliminary investigations revealed that 20 people were onboard the vehicles at the time, and while two survived with serious injuries, 18 victims — adults and children alike — were confirmed dead. The injured have been transported to Dutse General Hospital for urgent treatment, and the remains of the deceased were evacuated from the scene for further processing.
Witnesses described harrowing scenes at the accident site, with screams for help and frantic efforts by passersby and emergency teams to pull survivors from mangled wreckage. Eyewitnesses also reported that many of those killed were from nearby rural communities, including families and children, raising fears about the wider human toll this crash will have on local villages during the festive season.
The tragedy comes just days after another fatal road mishap in Jigawa on December 25, when a lone vehicle crash on the Ringim-Sankara-Beguwa road claimed 11 lives and left others injured — also blamed on tyre failure and excessive speed. These back-to-back fatal accidents have intensified calls from safety advocates for stronger enforcement of roadworthiness checks, particularly on long-distance routes frequented by passenger vehicles and commercial trucks.
Reacting to the Dutse-Kwanar Babaldu crash, FRSC officials reiterated urgent safety warnings for motorists, urging drivers to ensure that tyres, brakes and other critical components are in good condition before embarking on journeys — especially during busy travel periods. The Corps also emphasised strict observance of posted speed limits, noting that speed-related crashes account for a significant proportion of road fatalities nationwide.
Nigeria has long struggled with high rates of road traffic deaths, with poor road infrastructure, vehicle defects, reckless driving and inadequate enforcement contributing to frequent fatal accidents. Experts say that many crashes are avoidable if drivers adhere to safety regulations and if authorities improve road design, expand traffic patrols and enforce compulsory pre-journey safety inspections.
In the wake of the Dutse crash, community leaders in and around Dutse have called for expanded emergency response capacity and trauma care facilities, noting that rural victims often face delays in receiving prompt treatment due to limited healthcare access. Families of the deceased are expected to begin burial preparations as investigations continue, with many mourning relatives stressing that the tragedy has brought profound grief to already struggling communities.
Authorities have launched a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash, and police officers have been deployed to manage traffic and assist with victim support. As Jigawa State grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, safety advocates and road users alike are urging urgent and sustained action to prevent similar loss of life on Nigeria’s highways.
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