Tragedy on Borno Highway: Nine Including Children Perish in Fiery Road Crash

In a heartbreaking tragedy that has plunged Borno State into mourning, no fewer than nine travellers—including three innocent children—lost their lives in a ghastly motor accident along the Maiduguri-Damaturu highway on Friday, July 18, 2025.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed the horrific incident in a statement signed by the Borno State Sector Commander, Usman Muhammad. According to the report, the fatal crash occurred around 3:30 pm and involved a Toyota Hummer bus belonging to Borno Express and a commercial trailer.

Among the dead were five adult men, one woman, two male children, and a female child—most of whom died instantly at the scene of the accident. One additional victim later succumbed to injuries at the Specialist Hospital in Maiduguri, bringing the death toll to nine.

Seven other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries and are currently undergoing treatment at the same hospital.

Commander Muhammad attributed the cause of the crash to excessive speeding, which led to a loss of control and the subsequent violent collision.

“A devastating road traffic crash occurred on Friday, 18th July, 2025, along the Maiduguri-Damaturu highway at approximately 1530hrs, resulting in the tragic loss of nine lives—five male adults, one female adult, two male children, and one female child. The crash involved a Toyota Hummer bus and a commercial trailer. Speeding was identified as the primary cause,” the statement read.

The FRSC has launched a full-scale investigation to determine further details surrounding the incident and emphasized the urgent need for motorists to adhere strictly to speed limits and road safety protocols.

“Our thoughts and condolences go out to the families and loved ones of the deceased. We urge road users to exercise utmost caution, especially on high-speed highways,” the Commander added.

This tragic incident serves as yet another stark reminder of the deadly consequences of reckless driving. Authorities continue to appeal to commercial drivers and the general public to prioritize safety over speed.