A collision in the northern Nigerian state of Kaduna has claimed the lives of several Muslim worshippers.
The victims were traveling to the northern town of Saminaka to commemorate Eid-el-Maulud, which is the birthday of Prophet Muhammad.
A representative of the Eid celebration reported that their bus struck an approaching truck close to the town of Lere.
Traffic fatalities are a frequent occurrence in Nigeria. It has been known for drivers and passengers to disobey safety regulations, which are only sporadically enforced by the government.
On Monday morning, a representative from the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency said that 36 people had died.
Ahmad Dayyabu, the event’s organizer, told the BBC that up to 40 individuals had passed away and another 31 were receiving medical attention in hospitals.
“They left the town of Kwandare in order to get to Saminaka. Their vehicle was hit by a trailer truck as they arrived in the village of Lere,” he claimed.
“According to our investigation, that unfortunate vehicle carried 71 people.”
It is reported that the bus was overloaded.
According to government statistics, over 1,470 persons lost their lives in traffic accidents in Nigeria during the first quarter of 2024.
That equates to an average of 16 persons every day.
On Monday, the government observed a public holiday in observance of Eid-el-Maulud this year.
