Eid-El-Maulud Tragedy: 25 Killed in Kaduna Auto Crash

A devastating road accident in Kaduna State has claimed the lives of 25 people following a collision involving a bus filled with children and an articulated vehicle. The tragic incident occurred on Sunday afternoon along the Saminaka-Lere road in Lere Local Government Area.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed the rising death toll on Monday, with Kaduna State Sector Commander Kabiru Nadabo providing updates. He revealed that the number of fatalities increased from 15 to 25, as more victims succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash.

“Ten more victims died due to injuries sustained in the crash, bringing the total number of deceased to 25 out of the 63 people involved,” Nadabo told PUNCH Metro.

The accident took place around 1:00 p.m. on Sunday when a J5 bus carrying 63 children, mostly young people traveling to celebrate Eid-El-Maulud, lost control and collided with an oncoming articulated vehicle. The Sector Commander explained that over-speeding by the bus driver contributed to the fatal crash.

“The driver of the J5 bus lost control due to over-speeding, resulting in the collision. Fifteen children died instantly, while 48 others sustained varying degrees of injuries,” Nadabo said.

Sadly, due to the severity of the injuries, 10 more victims died by Monday evening. “At about 6:45 p.m. today, we received an update that 10 more victims had passed away, bringing the death toll to 25,” Nadabo reported. “This is truly sad and tragic. The FRSC extends its deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in this fatal accident.”

The FRSC blames both over-speeding and overloading for the accident, highlighting the need for drivers to observe safety regulations. “These are avoidable, and we will continue to engage motorists on safety ethics and proper road behavior. The FRSC Kaduna is committed to ensuring the safety of all motorists in Kaduna and beyond,” Nadabo added.

An eyewitness, who was present at the scene, described the accident as chaotic. “I saw the bus swerve out of control and collide with the articulated vehicle. It was a horrific sight, and my heart goes out to the families of the victims.”

Following the crash, several of the injured were taken to various hospitals for medical attention, including ABU Teaching Hospital at Shika, University of Jos Teaching Hospital, and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. The FRSC has also launched an investigation into the incident to determine the full circumstances surrounding the crash.

Nadabo emphasized the need for all drivers to prioritize road safety. “This accident is a wake-up call for all drivers to drive safely and obey speed limits. We urge motorists to exercise caution and adhere to road safety measures to prevent such tragedies.”

As families mourn the loss of their loved ones, the FRSC Commander reiterated the importance of vigilance on the roads. “We must learn from this tragedy and take steps to prevent such incidents in the future. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims during this difficult time,” Nadabo said.

The crash serves as a grim reminder of the dangers associated with reckless driving and the need for strict adherence to traffic regulations to ensure the safety of all road users.