Buhari Mourns Death Of 19 Passengers In Kano Road Crash 

January 07, (THEWILL) – At least 19 people have been confirmed killed and 26 others injured in a fatal road accident at Bagauda village, near Kano Campus of the Nigerian Law School.

A baby, his mother, adult females, and elderly men were among the victims of Thursday’s crash.

The accident involved 45 passengers of two commercial buses, with registration numbers KBT 152 XA and NSR 275 ZX, which collided and went into flames.

Kano Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Zubairu Mato, who confirmed the incident to newsmen, blamed excessive speed and dangerous driving for the accident.

“The accident involved 45 passengers, out of which 14 adult males, four adult females, and one male child lost their lives, while 26 others sustained serious injuries”,  he said.

According to the sector commander, those injured have been taken to Kura General Hospital while bodies of the deceased were handed over to their relatives at Bebeji Police Division.

Meanwhile President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his condolences to the Kano government and families of the victims of the accident.

The President in a statement issued on Friday by Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, expressed concern over the rate of accidents in the country, and urged drivers to be cautious of road safety measures.

“I’m devastated and saddened by this unfortunate tragedy that claimed the lives of passengers who happily left their homes without any idea that it was going to be their last day on earth,” he was quoted as saying.

“The frequency of road accidents is particularly worrisome and it calls for greater reflection on the importance of safety standards.

“I understand that the accident was blamed on over-speeding and this account worries me deeply. Our drivers should take safety regulations seriously; they have the responsibility to protect their passengers.

“Unfortunately, ours is a country where, despite regular public enlightenment programmes by road safety officials, our recalcitrant drivers treat the issue with indifference.

“Adherence to safety standards and regulations can go a long way to protect lives”, he said.

The president also condoled with the Kano government and the families of the victims over the incident.