Maulud tragedy: Tinubu mourns 40 victims, demands improved road safety

President Bola Tinubu has extended his condolences to members of the Tijjaniyya Movement in Nigeria following the death of 40 members in an auto crash on Sunday. Tinubu conveyed his sympathies in a statement, yesterday, by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The Muslim worshippers were travelling from Kwandari in Plateau State to Saminaka, Kaduna State, for a celebration to mark Eid-el-Maulud, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad.

Unfortunately, their bus had a head-on collision with a truck near the town of Lere, an organiser of the celebration reported. Many others were injured and are receiving treatment.

While praying for the repose of the departed souls, Tinubu directed the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to enhance highway monitoring and reduce the number of road accidents nationwide.

The death toll in the accident, which occurred around 1.00pm rose to 40, yesterday, as more victims died in the hospital. Sector Commander of FRSC, Kabiru Nadabo, had earlier told Channels Television that 25 people died due to complications from the accident, while 48 others sustained injuries and were rushed to various hospitals in Kaduna, Jos and Kano for urgent medical attention.

Following the unfortunate incident, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State directed the Commissioner of Health to ensure that the surviving children who sustained injuries from the road accident were given adequate medical attention.

The governor, in a statement, expressed pain by the tragedy and promised to reach out to the families of the deceased to offer some assistance. Meanwhile, remains of the victims have been buried in Lere, according to Islamic burial rites.