Crime
Four Burnt to Death, 10 Injured as Fire Guts Passenger Bus in Jigawap
Four Burnt to Death, 10 Injured as Fire Guts Passenger Bus in Jigawa
By: Zagazola Makama
Four people, including three children, were burnt beyond recognition, while 10 others sustained injuries after a commercial Hummer bus caught fire in Gwaram, Jigawa State.
Security and emergency sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on February 22, 2025, at about 4:00 p.m., near the Government Girls Unity Secondary School, Gwaram.
The bus, a white Hummer with registration number ZAK 382 XA, was driven by Dalha Saleh, a 40-year-old resident of Galdimari Quarters, Saldigal Village, Zaki LGA, Bauchi State.
It was conveying 44 passengers—25 adults and 19 children from Zaki LGA in Bauchi State to Rabadi Village when the fire broke out from the vehicle’s exhaust system.
According to sources, the fire ignited after a mattress tied to the back of the vehicle caught fire from the exhaust sparks.
The four victims, all from Saldigal Village, Zaki LGA, Bauchi State, were identified as: Ziwaira Hassan, Fatima Hassan, Iyatale Hassan, Halima Muhammad (10 years, female)
Ten other passengers sustained varying degrees of burns and were rushed to Gwaram Cottage Hospital for treatment. The remaining passengers were rescued unhurt.
The sources said that the charred remains of the victims would be released to their families for burial after medical examination.
Zagazola reports that reckless overloading of commercial vehicles, particularly those transporting goods from Kano to Maiduguri, has become a serious safety and security concern.
Every day, buses and vans meant for passenger transport are stuffed with goods that should be carried by trailers, turning them into moving hazards on already dangerous highways.
Despite the presence of numerous security and road safety checkpoints, many of these vehicles pass through unchecked not because they meet safety standards, but because they pay their way through.
These drivers mostly traveled at night to evade strict checks from KAROTA in Kano- Jigawa and passed the night in Potiskum. Then proceeded with their journey in the early morning hours. And during that time, those responsible for enforcing compliance will all be out to collect bribes. No single vehicle will be stopped for any checks.
Various personnel at these checkpoints, instead of enforcing regulations, often turn a blind eye in exchange for bribes, allowing these overloaded vehicles to continue their journeys without scrutiny. Many of these vehicles exceed weight limits, causing faster deterioration of roads and bridges, which leads to costly repairs and more hazardous road conditions.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), police, and other security agencies have been largely ineffective in stopping this dangerous trend. While FRSC officers are stationed at multiple checkpoints, many prefer to look the other way rather than enforcement of the regulations.
Overload vehicles have poor stability which increased braking distance, and there are higher chances of tire blowouts, which can lead to deadly crashes. Incidents like the recent Jigawa fire disaster, where four passengers were burnt beyond recognition, are tragic recollections of this recklessness.
The Drivers always give the excuse that they opted to overload their vehicles to carry more goods in order to cover the cost that they spent giving the security agencies at various checkpoints.
This lack of oversight has further created loopholes that terrorists and criminal groups exploit. There have been several reports of terrorists smuggling weapons, fuel, and other logistics under the disguise of commercial transport. These activities are sometimes being intercepted by the Military Intelligence troops of the Nigerian Army.
There is therefore an urgent need for strict enforcement of weight limits, vehicle safety regulations, and thorough inspections at checkpoints. The government must: Empower road safety officers and security personnel to perform their duties without compromise. Impose severe penalties on both drivers and security personnel who violate or neglect their responsibilities.
Without immediate intervention, the unchecked overloading of vehicles will continue to claim lives and compromise national security, making it easier for criminal networks to operate freely across Nigeria’s highways.
Four Burnt to Death, 10 Injured as Fire Guts Passenger Bus in Jigawa
Nigeria Secures $62.8m Kuwait Loan to Boost Climate-Resilient Schools, Inclusive Education
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria’s partnership with the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development has yielded a $62.8 million concessional loan aimed at transforming the country’s education sector through climate-resilient infrastructure, improved teacher training and expanded access for vulnerable children.
The Federal Government disclosed this in Abuja during celebrations marking Kuwait’s 65th National Day and 35th Liberation Day.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Ahmed, represented by Ambassador Bukar Buni Hamman, Director of the Regions Department, said the financing agreement signed in 2025 reflects the growing depth of Nigeria–Kuwait relations and their shared commitment to human capital development.
He explained that the loan is being deployed to upgrade school facilities to withstand climate-related challenges, strengthen teacher capacity and ensure that girls and children with disabilities have improved access to quality learning.
According to him, the collaboration demonstrates how bilateral diplomacy is translating into measurable social impact.
“Kuwait has remained a trusted development partner. Our cooperation has moved beyond formal ties to practical interventions that directly address Nigeria’s social and economic priorities,” he said.
Ahmed added that both countries are broadening engagement in key sectors including agriculture, food security, renewable energy, infrastructure development and digital connectivity. He noted that subnational governments in Nigeria are also positioning themselves to attract Kuwaiti investment.
Kuwait’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Salim Almuzayen, described the occasion as a celebration not only of Kuwait’s national milestones but also of enduring partnerships built on mutual respect and sustainable development goals.
He cited the “Reaching Out-of-School Children” initiative in Kaduna State — funded by the Kuwait Fund in collaboration with UNICEF — as a leading example of cooperation between both nations. The project is designed to reintegrate more than 200,000 out-of-school children into formal education.
Almuzayen said Kuwait’s global development engagement is guided by a moderate foreign policy and a long-term vision focused on shared prosperity. Since its establishment in 1961, the Kuwait Fund has financed development projects in over 100 countries across critical sectors such as education, health and infrastructure.
The $62.8 million facility marks a significant boost for Nigeria’s education reform drive, particularly at a time when climate adaptation and inclusive access remain central to national policy objectives.
With both governments signaling deeper collaboration, stakeholders say the agreement underscores a maturing bilateral relationship anchored on practical development outcomes rather than symbolic diplomacy.
Nigeria Secures $62.8m Kuwait Loan to Boost Climate-Resilient Schools, Inclusive Education
Farmer killed, another injured in herder attack in Yobe
By: Zagazola Makama
A Fulani farmer has been killed while another sustained injuries following an attack by unknown herders in Bade Local Government Area of Yobe State.
Sources told Zagazola that the incident occurred on Feb. 11, 2026, at about 5:00 p.m. in Azbak Village. The victims, Abdulrahaman Audu, 30, and Ya’u Umaru, were reportedly tending to their tomato farms when two unidentified herders with grazing sheep trespassed onto their farmland.
According to sources, when the farmers cautioned the herders, the assailants allegedly attacked them with cutlasses, inflicting severe injuries.
The victims were rushed to Specialist Hospital Gashua for treatment. Abdulrahaman Audu, however, died on admission, while Ya’u Umaru remains under medical care and is reportedly responding to treatment.
The body of the deceased was released to his family for burial according to Islamic rites.
Police in Yobe confirmed that investigation is ongoing to identify and apprehend the fleeing culprits.
This incident draw attention to the ongoing tensions between farmers and herders in Yobe State, with clashes over farmland and livestock management increasingly resulting in fatalities and injuries.
Farmer killed, another injured in herder attack in Yobe
Troops, police repel bandits attack in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Army and the police have successfully repelled armed bandits who attacked Ankpali Village in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State early Wednesday.
According to sources, at about 2:45 a.m., the security forces received distress call indicating that the village was under attack.
Reinforcements from the Nigerian Army and 80 PMF arrived to support the operation. In the ensuing crossfire, the bandits were forced to retreat, and one assailant was shot dead. His body was removed and deposited at the local mortuary.
Security sources said efforts are ongoing to track the fleeing suspects and apprehend those involved in the attack.
Residents commended the swift response of the security forces, noting that their intervention prevented further loss of lives and property.
Troops, police repel bandits attack in Benue
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