18 varsity students escape death as vehicle bursts into flames
No fewer than 18 students of Kwara State University, Malete, narrowly escaped death on Wednesday when their vehicle suddenly caught fire while in motion.
The students were traveling from Ilorin to Malete for lectures when the 18-seater commercial bus with registration number XUF 134 ZD engulfed in flames along Shao Road near Sobi Army Barracks at about 7:54 a.m.
Fortunately, the Kwara State Fire Service promptly responded to the incident and extinguished the fire, saving the lives of the students. The vehicle was completely burnt, but no life was lost.
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According to Hassan Adekunle, Head of Media and Publicity of the Kwara State Fire Service, “On Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at about 07:54 hours, the Kwara State Fire Service responded swiftly to a distress call regarding a vehicle fire involving an 18-seater bus with registration number XUF 134 ZD along Shao Road, near Sobi Barracks.”
Adekunle added that preliminary investigations revealed that the fire originated from a spark in the engine compartment, which rapidly escalated and engulfed the entire vehicle.
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The Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Prince John Famuyiwa, extended his sympathy to the bus owner and advised all road users to conduct routine vehicle checks before embarking on any journey to prevent such incidents.
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