Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
At least three officials of the Kano State Road Traffic Agency (KAROTA) were hospitalised, and one of the agency's patrol vehicles was set ablaze by an angry mob following a highway crash on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. The attack occurred at Kwanar Dawaki town along the Kano–Zaria Expressway, a busy route connecting the state capital to neighbouring Kaduna State.
According to a statement by the agency's Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Ibrahim Sharada, the incident began when a KAROTA patrol team stopped a Sharon commercial bus for a routine traffic inspection. While the bus was stationary, a speeding trailer rammed into it from behind, causing the passenger vehicle to somersault several times and leaving many passengers with serious injuries. The trailer driver fled the scene amid the chaos. As KAROTA officials attempted to rescue the injured passengers, a group of angry youths at the scene launched an attack on the agency's personnel, accusing them of causing the crash. The mob inflicted serious injuries on three KAROTA officials and set the agency's patrol vehicle on fire.
The Deputy Managing Director of KAROTA, Auwal Lawal Shu'aibu Aranposu, rejected claims that the agency was responsible for the accident, insisting that KAROTA personnel only arrived after the crash had occurred and were carrying out their lawful duties. "The claim that KAROTA officials were responsible for the crash is untrue. Our personnel only arrived to carry out their lawful responsibility after the accident had occurred," Aranposu stated. He confirmed that the trailer driver escaped while attention was focused on rescuing the passengers and the injured KAROTA personnel.
The Managing Director of KAROTA, Faisal Mahmud Kabir, appealed to members of the public to respect and assist uniformed personnel on duty, stressing that traffic enforcement officers should be seen as public servants working to maintain order and safety on the roads rather than as adversaries. He commended the injured officials for their commitment and sacrifice in the discharge of their duties.
The attack has renewed concerns over the relationship between KAROTA officials and motorists in Kano. Motorists have on several occasions raised concerns over the manner in which KAROTA operatives mount roadblocks on major roads, with some alleging that the agency has taken over sections of federal highways linking Kano with other states. KAROTA officials, who wear yellow uniforms, are often seen mounting roadblocks, while some are accused of extorting motorists, especially commercial vehicle drivers. Roads frequently associated with the activities of KAROTA personnel include Maiduguri, Hadejia, Gwarzo, Zaria and Katsina roads, all of which link Kano with neighbouring states.
Authorities had not announced any arrests in connection with the incident at the time of filing this report. The KAROTA management has urged members of the public to remain calm and allow relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident rather than resorting to violence.
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