25 Children Dead, 31 Injured During Pilgrimage Trip in Nigeria

AFP/APP

Kano, Nigeria: A bus transporting Muslim faithful celebrating the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) crashed in Kaduna state, northern Nigeria, resulting in the deaths of at least 25 children, an official told AFP on Tuesday.

Organizers of the religious pilgrimage reported a higher death toll of 40, with 31 individuals injured. The accident occurred on Sunday when the speeding bus, overloaded with young adherents of the Tijjaniyya Sufi order, lost control and collided with a truck in Lere district.

Kabiru Nadabo, head of the local office of Nigeria’s Road Safety Agency (FRSC), stated that the bus was carrying 63 children and was traveling recklessly when it crashed. “Fifteen children died on the spot, and 48 injured individuals were taken to various hospitals. Ten of those injured later succumbed to their injuries, raising the death toll to 25,” Nadabo said.

The children, from Kwandare village, were en route to Saminaka for the Maulud festivities celebrating the Prophet’s birth. Nadabo noted that the death toll might fluctuate as updates from hospitals continue to come in.

Dikko Dahiru, one of the trip organizers, provided a higher estimate, stating that 40 children were killed and 31 were injured. “The bus was carrying 71 passengers in total.

Thirty-six children died instantly, and four more passed away in the hospital the next day,” Dahiru reported. He added that 31 individuals were hospitalized with severe injuries, 11 of whom are in critical condition.

Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu extended his condolences to the victims’ families and those injured, expressing his prayers for the souls of the deceased. He also directed the FRSC to enhance highway monitoring and work towards reducing road accidents nationwide.

Road accidents are frequent in Nigeria, often due to poorly maintained roads, speeding, and disregard for traffic regulations.