IDOMA VOICE reports that the incident occurred on February 22, 2025, around 4:00 p.m. near the Government Girls Unity Secondary School in Gwaram.
The bus was en route from Zaki Local Government Area in Bauchi State to Rabadi village in Gwaram Local Government Area when the fire erupted, as stated by SP Lawan Adam of the Jigawa State Police Command.
Adam revealed that the vehicle was carrying 44 passengers—25 adults and 19 children. Preliminary investigations indicate that the blaze started when the bus’s exhaust came into contact with a mattress secured at the rear, which quickly ignited the fire.
The deceased were identified as Zuwairah Hassan (40), Fatima Hassan (5), Iyatale Hassan (3), and Halima Muhammad (10), all from Saldiga village in Zaki LGA, Bauchi State. The surviving passengers were evacuated promptly, with the ten injured transported to Gwaram Cottage Hospital. After a medical assessment, the remains of the deceased were released to their families.
The Jigawa State Police Command has urged commercial drivers to prioritize safety by avoiding overloading and conducting regular vehicle inspections. SP Adam stressed, “We call on all drivers to ensure the safety of their passengers and other road users. Overloading and reckless driving can lead to catastrophic outcomes, as evidenced by this tragic incident.”
Police investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the fire and to identify any potential negligence.
