The Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has expressed shock and deep sense of loss while paying condolences to the families of the Eid-el-Maulud auto crash victims.
The auto crash took a worse turn on Tuesday after the death toll rose from 25 to 40 people, mostly children.
The incident occurred on Sunday when a J5 bus carrying youngsters to celebrate the Eid-el Maulud lost control due to speeding and overloading, colliding with an articulated vehicle along the Saminaka Road in the Lere Local Government Area.
Initially, the Federal Road Safety Corps reported 25 fatalities and 48 injuries but disclosed on Tuesday that more victims succumbed to their injuries in the hospital, bringing the total death toll to 40.
While speaking on Tuesday, the state governor said, “This is a tragic loss of young lives, and we will do everything possible to support the affected families.”
He directed the state Commissioner of Health, Hajiya Umma K Ahmed, to ensure the surviving children received urgent and adequate medical attention.
Our correspondent gathered that Sani also planned to reach out to the families of the deceased to offer assistance, demonstrating his commitment to supporting those affected by the terrible incident.
PUNCH Metro reports that the tragic incident occurred around 1:00 pm on Sunday when a J5 bus carrying 63 children, mostly youngsters traveling to celebrate Eld El Maulud, collided with an oncoming articulated vehicle.
The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps in the state, Kabiru Nadabo, confirmed the incident.
He said, “The driver of the J5 bus lost control due to speeding, resulting in the fatal crash. Fifteen children died instantly, while 48 others sustained varying degrees of injuries.”
However, Nadabo added that due to the nature of the injuries sustained during the crash, 10 more victims died bringing the toll number of fatalities to 25, adding that “more victims succumbed to their injuries in the hospital, bringing the total death toll to 40.”
Nadabo emphasised the importance of road safety measures, urging drivers to exercise caution and adhere to speed limits to prevent such tragedies.
“This accident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of reckless driving. We urge drivers to exercise caution and adhere to speed limits to prevent such tragedies.”
An eyewitness who spoke to PUNCH Metro on the condition of anonymity described the scene as chaotic. “I saw the bus swerve out of control and collide with the articulated vehicle,” he said.
