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

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