A devastating road crash on the Yola–Song highway in Adamawa State has claimed the lives of at least six people, including four serving members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and a Nigerian Army officer.
The fatal collision occurred on Wednesday near Barikin-Sajo, along a sharp bend on the busy highway, when a military gun-truck reportedly crashed into a commercial Hummer bus travelling from Kano to Mubi. The impact triggered a massive fire that engulfed the bus, trapping passengers inside.
Witnesses at the scene alleged that the military vehicle was attempting to overtake another vehicle at high speed when it entered the path of the oncoming bus. The collision reportedly occurred at a dangerous section of the road, leaving little room for either driver to avoid the crash.
One eyewitness described the scene as horrifying, saying the bus burst into flames immediately after the impact. Another witness suggested that both vehicles appeared to be travelling at considerable speed before the collision, raising concerns about reckless driving and dangerous overtaking.
While some eyewitnesses claimed as many as 10 people died in the incident, authorities have officially confirmed six fatalities. The Adamawa State Police Command said all five occupants of the commercial bus were burnt to death after the vehicle caught fire.
Police spokesperson, SP Suleiman Nguroje, confirmed that four of the victims were NYSC members serving in Adamawa State. He added that one military personnel travelling in the army vehicle also lost his life in the crash.
“Tragically, all five passengers aboard the Hummer bus were burnt to death after the vehicle caught fire following the collision. Preliminary identification reveals that four of the deceased were serving members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) posted to Adamawa State,” Nguroje said.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) also confirmed the accident. FRSC spokesperson Abdulrahman Tukur said emergency responders and security personnel later arrived at the scene to evacuate victims and remove the wreckage from the highway.
The latest tragedy adds to growing concerns over road safety in Nigeria, where excessive speeding, dangerous overtaking, and disregard for traffic regulations continue to contribute to fatal accidents. Safety experts have repeatedly warned against overtaking on bends and blind spots, describing the practice as one of the leading causes of deadly head-on collisions across the country.
