Hit-and-run driver kills 500-level FUHSA student in Bauchi

A tragic hit-and-run accident has claimed the life of Rebecca Kambai, a 19-year-old 500-level student of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare (FUHSA), along the Bauchi-Jos Road in Bauchi State.

Rebecca, who had returned home from school for the holidays, died on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, after a Sharon minibus allegedly rammed into the motorcycle she was riding with her brother before fleeing the scene.

The incident has thrown her family, friends, colleagues and the university community into mourning, with many describing her as a brilliant student whose promising future was cut short just months before graduation.

According to family sources, Rebecca had forgotten some of her personal belongings at school after travelling home for the holidays. She later arranged for friends in Azare to send the items to Bauchi through a commercial driver.

When the driver arrived at the Bauchi Motor Park near Awala Hotel, he contacted Rebecca to collect the package. She subsequently travelled to the park with one of her brothers on a motorcycle.

After retrieving the belongings, the siblings began their journey back home. Family members said Rebecca opted to ride the motorcycle while her brother rode as a passenger.

However, tragedy struck when they reached the Police Officers’ Mess along the Bauchi-Jos Road, close to the entrance leading into the New GRA.

Eyewitnesses said a speeding Sharon minibus crashed into the motorcycle and immediately fled the scene without stopping to assist the victims.

The collision threw Rebecca onto the road, causing severe head injuries.

She reportedly suffered a fractured skull and died instantly, while her brother sustained injuries and was rushed to hospital for treatment.

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A First Information Report (FIR) issued by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), RS12.1 Bauchi Sector Command, confirmed that the accident occurred at about 5:15 p.m. on July 14, 2026.

According to the report, the incident was reported to the FRSC five minutes later, while emergency responders arrived at the crash scene within 10 minutes.

The report identified the motorcycle involved as a Jincheng motorcycle with registration number TFB-38-QB, which was being used for private purposes.

The FRSC disclosed that two people—an adult male and an adult female—were involved in the crash. While the male sustained injuries, the female victim was confirmed dead at the scene.

Officials recovered several personal belongings from the accident site, including the damaged motorcycle, a women’s hair stretcher and a pair of shoes.

The injured victim was evacuated to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) for treatment, while Rebecca’s remains were deposited in the hospital’s mortuary.

The rescue operation was led by MI III CT Galadima of the Bauchi Sector Command.

Security agencies have since launched investigations to identify and arrest the driver responsible for the fatal crash.

The Federal Road Safety Corps has urged motorists to drive responsibly, obey speed limits and remain at accident scenes to assist victims rather than fleeing, noting that timely medical intervention can often save lives.

Rebecca’s death has generated an outpouring of grief across the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare, where fellow students and lecturers described her as intelligent, hardworking and dedicated to her studies.

Her grieving mother, Mrs Doris Kambai, paid an emotional tribute to her daughter, describing her as the family’s last child and a source of joy.

“I am the mother of Rebecca, whom we just lost yesterday. It is truly a time of grief for the whole family. My daughter, my last baby, will be greatly missed,” she said.

She described Rebecca as exceptionally brilliant and revealed that her daughter brought immense happiness into her life.

“She was actually my favourite, and the siblings even know that. She took after me in so many ways, and I have been so proud of her. She was such an intelligent and brilliant girl. Her coming into my life was truly a blessing.”

Despite the painful loss, Mrs Kambai expressed gratitude to relatives, friends and sympathisers who have stood by the family during the difficult period.

“I want to appreciate everyone who has rallied around me throughout this period of grief. I lack words to express my gratitude. It is my prayer that the Lord will reward each one of them.”

The heartbreaking incident has once again drawn attention to the growing menace of hit-and-run accidents on Nigerian roads.

Road safety advocates say many fatalities could be prevented if motorists involved in crashes remained at accident scenes, rendered first aid where possible and promptly alerted emergency responders instead of fleeing.

As investigations continue, authorities have appealed to members of the public with useful information that could lead to the identification and arrest of the fleeing driver to report to the nearest security agency.

The case has also renewed calls for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations, improved road surveillance and tougher penalties for drivers who abandon accident victims.

Hit-and-run driver kills 500-level FUHSA student in Bauchi

Orire Kidnap: I Assured Principal’s Husband His Wife Would Return Alive — Senator Buhari

The Senator representing Oyo North Senatorial District, Abdulfatai Buhari, has revealed how he encouraged the husband of the abducted principal of the Government Technical College, Orita Aperin, Orire, Oyo State, during the period the victims were held captive by kidnappers.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television, Buhari recounted that Professor Alamo, whose wife, Mrs. Rachel Alamo, was among those abducted, repeatedly contacted him for updates and support throughout the ordeal.

Mrs. Alamo was one of the victims kidnapped alongside students in the attack that shocked Oyo State and drew nationwide concern.

According to the senator, about three weeks before the victims regained their freedom, Professor Alamo became visibly overwhelmed by fear, anxiety and uncertainty over his wife’s fate.

Buhari said he decided to visit him personally to offer words of encouragement and reassure him that his wife and the other abductees would return safely.

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“I went to him, I talked to him and I explained to him that, ‘Look, your wife will not forgive you, even in the grave if she comes back and you’re not there,'” Buhari recalled.

“I assured him that nothing bad had happened to them and that they would come back safely.”

The lawmaker said he urged Professor Alamo to remain strong despite the emotional burden, stressing that losing hope would only deepen the trauma for the family.

Buhari further disclosed that on the day the victims were eventually released, Professor Alamo visited his residence in Ogbomoso, where they discussed the situation once again.

According to him, the meeting ended at about 3:30 p.m., after which Professor Alamo left.

Later that evening, Buhari said he began receiving messages claiming that the abducted students and other victims had been freed. However, he was initially reluctant to believe the reports because of the widespread circulation of unverified information during the period of the abduction.

He said his doubts were only dispelled after he came across a social media post by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirming the successful rescue of the victims.

The release of the abductees brought relief to their families, the Oyo State Government and residents, ending weeks of anxiety following the kidnapping incident that raised fresh concerns over insecurity and the safety of schools in the country.

The rescue operation has continued to attract commendation from various stakeholders, including security agencies, community leaders and civil society organisations, while renewed calls have been made for stronger measures to protect educational institutions from criminal attacks.

Orire Kidnap: I Assured Principal’s Husband His Wife Would Return Alive — Senator Buhari

Gunmen Invade Kogi School During NECO Exam, Abduct Principal, Four Students

Armed gunmen on Tuesday invaded a secondary school in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State during the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination, abducting the school principal, four students and a NECO ad hoc official.

The attack, which occurred at Government Secondary School, Odo-Ekina, also known as GSS Olowa, at about 5:25 p.m., threw the examination centre into panic as candidates and teachers scampered for safety.

Eyewitnesses said the heavily armed assailants stormed the school premises while the examination was in progress and whisked away the victims to an unknown destination before fleeing the scene.

Confirming the incident, the Kogi State Police Command said security operatives had launched a coordinated search-and-rescue operation involving the police, military and other security agencies to ensure the safe return of the abducted victims.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, disclosed that one of the abducted students had already been rescued, while efforts were ongoing to free the remaining captives and apprehend the perpetrators.

She said the Commissioner of Police, Naziru Kankarofi, alongside the Brigade Commander and the State Security Adviser, visited the school shortly after the incident to assess the situation and coordinate security operations.

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According to the police spokesperson, additional security personnel have been deployed to the area as investigations continue.

“The Kogi State Police Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, has commenced an intensive operation to rescue the remaining victims unhurt and bring the perpetrators to justice,” she said.

The latest abduction has heightened concerns over the security of schools across Nigeria, particularly during national examinations, as students continue to face threats from criminal elements.

The incident comes amid renewed efforts by security agencies to curb kidnapping and other violent crimes across the country. Education stakeholders and residents have called on the Federal Government and the Kogi State Government to strengthen security around schools to safeguard students, teachers and examination officials.

As of the time of filing this report, no group had claimed responsibility for the attack, while authorities assured the public that every effort was being made to secure the release of the remaining abductees.

The attack adds to the growing list of security challenges confronting the nation’s education sector, where schools have increasingly become targets for kidnappers seeking ransom. Parents and community leaders have urged the government to adopt more proactive measures to prevent further attacks and restore confidence in the safety of educational institutions.

Gunmen Invade Kogi School During NECO Exam, Abduct Principal, Four Students