Nine people were confirmed dead and 10 others injured in a fatal auto crash along the Jama’are–Azare axis of the Kano–Maiduguri Expressway in the early hours of Friday, January 9, 2026.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Bauchi State Command confirmed the incident through its Sector Commander, CC Apaji Danladi Boyi, during a press briefing on Friday. According to Boyi, the crash occurred at approximately 6:20 a.m. on the busy highway.
According to the FRSC, “The fatal crash involved a commercial vehicle with registration number KTG 181 ZZ, conveying 19 passengers from Gombe to Kano.”
The crash is not unconnected to speed limit violations, fatigue, and loss of control,” Boyi explained, noting that further investigations are ongoing to verify these preliminary findings.
Sector Commander Boyi stated that FRSC operatives rescued the survivors and evacuated them to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Azare, for urgent treatment. The remains of the deceased were deposited at the hospital morgue for identification and subsequent collection by their families.
The Sector Commander reaffirmed that the FRSC’s Operation Zero Tolerance remains in full swing across the state. He assured the public that personnel are intensifying patrols on all major highways to ensure strict compliance with safety regulations and prevent further tragedies.
He advised motorists to maintain strict discipline on the road, citing the ongoing heavy traffic flow as travelers conclude their New Year and Yuletide holidays.
