At least 30 people were killed and dozens more injured when an overloaded truck carrying passengers and goods crashed early Sunday morning, 8 February 2026, along the highway in Kwanar Barde, located in the Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State in northern Nigeria. The truck, which had left Kano city around 4 a.m., was headed towards Gujungu town in neighbouring Jigawa State when the driver reportedly lost control, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and collide with roadside structures, including market stalls and small shops. Eyewitnesses say the truck rolled several times, trapping passengers inside and leaving a trail of destruction along the highway.
Emergency responders, including personnel from the Kano State Emergency Management Agency (KSEMA) and local police, arrived at the scene within hours. Survivors described a scene of chaos, with injured passengers crying for help as flames threatened to engulf the wreckage. Many of the victims were trapped under debris, and first responders had to use hydraulic tools to extricate them. Local residents immediately assisted, pulling survivors from the wreckage and taking them to nearby health centres before ambulances could arrive.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State visited the site later that morning. In a statement, he expressed profound sorrow at the loss of life, describing the incident as a “deep tragedy that has affected families, communities, and the entire state.” The governor directed the Kano State Ministry of Health to provide free medical treatment for all survivors admitted to hospitals and instructed local authorities to provide psychological support and temporary shelter for those who lost family members. The Office of the Special Adviser on Humanitarian Affairs was also mobilised to assess the full extent of casualties and provide emergency relief to affected families.
Officials reported that the majority of the passengers were traders and commuters travelling between villages and towns in Kano and Jigawa states. Among the injured, several were reported in critical condition at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital in Kano city, while others were treated at district hospitals in Gezawa and Wudil Local Government Areas. Doctors and nurses worked throughout the day to stabilise victims, many of whom suffered fractures, burns, and head injuries.
Eyewitnesses blamed the driver’s excessive speed and overloading for the disaster. The truck was carrying nearly twice its maximum capacity, including both passengers and cargo, a common practice on Nigerian highways due to weak regulatory enforcement. Local traders and community leaders have long warned that highways connecting northern towns are particularly dangerous because of poorly maintained roads, lack of signage, and reckless driving by heavy-duty vehicle operators.
The Kano State Police Command launched an investigation into the accident. Police spokesperson Bala Isa confirmed that the driver survived the crash and was taken into custody for questioning. Authorities are reviewing vehicle registration, insurance documentation, and driver credentials, and have pledged to prosecute any violations of traffic and safety laws.
This incident has reignited nationwide concern over road safety in Nigeria, where traffic accidents claim thousands of lives each year. Civil society organisations, including the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), have called for stricter enforcement of speed limits, mandatory rest periods for long-haul drivers, and penalties for overloading vehicles. Experts also recommend upgrading road infrastructure, installing proper lighting, and increasing public awareness campaigns to prevent similar tragedies.
Residents of Gezawa and neighbouring communities have demanded government intervention, highlighting that such crashes are often preventable. Local leaders said that highways in rural northern Nigeria are frequently used by passenger-laden trucks, motorcycles, and minibuses, creating a deadly mix when combined with inadequate law enforcement and unsafe road conditions.
As the state mourns the victims, authorities have emphasised the need for both immediate relief and long-term reforms in road safety management. Governor Yusuf pledged to work with federal agencies, transport unions, and community stakeholders to prevent further accidents, stressing that the loss of lives on Kano highways must not become routine.
