In a tragic accident in northern Nigeria’s Kaduna state, dozens of Muslim worshippers lost their lives while traveling to celebrate Eid-el-Maulud, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad. The victims were en route to the town of Saminaka when their bus collided with a truck near Lere.
According to local officials, the death toll stands at 36, while event organizer Ahmad Dayyabu reported that up to 40 people died, and 31 others are receiving medical treatment. The bus, reportedly overloaded with 71 passengers, was struck by a trailer truck, leading to the fatal crash.
Road accidents are common in Nigeria, where enforcement of safety regulations is often lax. In the first quarter of 2024 alone, over 1,470 people have died in traffic collisions across the country, averaging 16 fatalities per day.
In light of Eid-el-Maulud, the Nigerian government declared Monday a public holiday.
