By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu, JIGAWA
JIGAWA: A tragic accident in Jigawa State has claimed four lives and left ten others injured after a passenger bus caught fire while on its way from Bauchi State to Rabadi village in Gwaram Local Government Area.
The incident occurred near the Government Girls Unity Secondary School in Gwaram, where the Hummer bus, carrying 44 passengers, went up in flames. The Jigawa State Police Command attributed the fire to the vehicle’s exhaust pipe, which came into contact with a mattress tied to the back of the bus.
Confirming the casualties, the police said four victims, including two children, were burned beyond recognition, while ten others sustained injuries and were rushed to the hospital. The remaining 30 passengers managed to escape unhurt.
The police command’s spokesperson, SP Lawan Shiisu Adam, expressed concern over the frequent disregard for road safety regulations, warning commercial drivers against overloading and poor vehicle maintenance.
“Drivers must ensure their vehicles are in good condition before embarking on any journey. Overloading, reckless driving, and failure to inspect essential components like brakes and tires can lead to preventable tragedies,” he stated.
The incident has sparked fresh calls for stricter enforcement of traffic laws, with residents urging authorities to curb overloading and other safety violations to prevent further loss of lives.