Six students of Kashim Ibrahim University (KIU), Maiduguri, were injured in a motor accident on Friday night following the institution’s Social Week closing ceremony.
The accident, which occurred near Gambari Village along the Maiduguri–Konduga road, was attributed to reckless driving involving a Hilux van conveying students and a truck loaded with cement.
Eyewitnesses said the driver of the Hilux, who was reportedly overspeeding and making dangerous turns in celebration after the event, lost control and collided with the oncoming truck.
“The students were returning from the Social Week event, cheering and playing music loudly. The driver was driving too fast despite warnings from the passengers. Suddenly, he swerved to avoid a pothole and hit the truck,” a witness, Musa Ibrahim, told NAN.
Emergency responders and bystanders rushed to the scene to assist the victims, who were taken to Umaru Shehu Ultra-Modern Hospital for treatment.
Hospital officials confirmed that three of the students, who sustained critical leg and hand fractures, were later referred to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) for further medical care.
A senior university official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the crash as “a sad but preventable tragedy,” blaming it on carelessness and disregard for road safety regulations.
“It is regrettable that such youthful excitement turned into a tragedy. We always caution students against reckless celebrations and dangerous driving, but some still ignore these warnings,” the official said.
