Relatives of the victims of the tragic road accident that occurred on Saminaka road in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State are still grappling with the loss of their loved ones.
The accident, which happened on Sunday as families were travelling to Saminaka town to celebrate Mawlid, has claimed numerous lives.
The bus, carrying about 70 passengers, collided with an oncoming truck near the town of Lere.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed the incident occurred around 1pm on Sunday.
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By Wednesday, the death toll had risen to 41, with all the victims hailing from Kwandari village, according to residents.
Malam Umar Abdullahi Kwandari, whose younger brother drove the ill-fated vehicle, revealed that 37 family members were aboard, with 18 tragically losing their lives.
“My younger brother, the driver, and his son both died in the accident. In total, we lost 18 family members. We are in deep mourning, but we give thanks to Allah for everything,” Umar said.
His two children also suffered serious injuries and are among the survivors being treated.
Similarly, Saidu Dan Adabe Kwandari shared the sorrow of losing his father’s younger sister, Hajiya Halima Dodo, and his brother’s four-year-old daughter.
He also recounted the devastation of his friend, Alhaji Munkailu, who lost his three wives and two children in the crash.
Two of Munkailu’s surviving children are currently hospitalised.
Saidu explained that the community has been in mourning, burying victims daily since the accident.
“On Monday, we buried two people; on Tuesday, two more; and on Wednesday, another two. So far, over 41 people have been buried, with only one victim from a neighbouring village, Kundin Kurama,” he said.
He emphasised that such a tragedy, where over 40 lives were lost in a single accident, has never occurred in their town, leaving the entire community in grief.
Government officials have been visiting Kwandari village to express their condolences and offer support to the families of the victims.
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