Residents of Jigawa State are voicing alarm over a recent surge in road traffic accidents that have claimed at least 38 lives in just four days. The crashes, which occurred in the Ringim and Dutse local government areas, have left dozens dead, many injured, and caused property losses worth millions of naira.
One accident on the Ringim–Sankara–Beguwa Road involved a Volkswagen Golf carrying 23 passengers; 11 people died and 12 were injured. Preliminary investigations by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) attribute the crash to overloading and excessive speeding, which caused a tyre burst and loss of control. In a separate incident on the Kwanar Huguna–Dutse Municipal road, a sand‑laden trailer collided with two Gulf vehicles transporting wedding guests, resulting in 22 fatalities and several injuries, as confirmed by police. A third accident in Bandawa village, Ringim LGA, claimed the lives of five family members when a vehicle swerved to avoid a goat, struck a tree, and overturned; two occupants survived with injuries and are receiving medical care.
Residents describe the frequency of these accidents as alarming and unacceptable. They point to human factors—reckless driving, speeding, and overloading of passengers and goods—as the primary causes, despite the state’s relatively good road infrastructure. The community is calling for the revival of stricter transport policies introduced by former Governor Sule Lamido, which limited commercial drivers to four passengers. They believe that enforcing this policy would deter overloading and reduce casualties.
The residents have also appealed to the FRSC, police, and other relevant agencies to intensify traffic law enforcement and punish violators. They urge the state government to take immediate action to address the rising spate of road traffic accidents, which have become a major concern. With the growing number of casualties, a proactive approach is essential to prevent further incidents and ensure the safety of road users.
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