16 prospective NYSC members die in tragic bus crash en route to Gombe

‎A deadly road accident on Wednesday, November 19, claimed the lives of 16 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members.
‎
‎The victims, graduates of Adeyemi Federal University of Education (AFUED) in Ondo State, were travelling to the NYSC orientation camp in Gombe State when their 18-seater bus was reportedly crushed. Two survivors remain in critical condition, while authorities work to identify the victims and contact their families.
‎
‎According to eyewitness reports and social media accounts, the 18-seater bus carrying the graduates was involved in a catastrophic collision, described as being completely crushed. The crash occurred on Wednesday, leaving nearly all occupants dead instantly. The two survivors were rushed to a medical facility in critical condition.
‎
‎ Just months prior, in January 2025, another fatal accident in Ebonyi State claimed the life of a prospective corps member when a bus rammed into a stationary truck. These recurring tragedies have led to repeated warnings from NYSC leadership against night travel, though many graduates still face the necessity of long-haul journeys to meet camp deadlines.
‎
‎Families, loved ones and the university community are currently mourning, the death that has cut short the lives of bright young and promising Nigerians. This tragic event has increased the growing demand for the government to either regionalized NYSC deployment to reduce travel risks or improve road infrastructure and safety enforcement.
‎
‎While an official statement on this tragic crash is pending, the NYSC and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) consistently emphasize safety protocols, often warning corps members against night travel and speeding.
‎
‎
‎