A fatal accident on the Kaduna-Zaria highway which occurred on Monday evening, has led to the deaths of eight individuals from the same family, while two others are currently fighting for their lives in the hospital.
It was gathered that the tragic event transpired when a speeding vehicle lost control and collided with pedestrians who were waiting by the roadside.
The horrible incident occurred around 6 p.m. in the Barakallahu area along the Kaduna-Zaria highway, coinciding with the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.
Among those affected were women and children who had gathered at the roadside after visiting their grandmother’s residence for the holiday.
The vehicle involved, an ash-coloured Mercedes GLK Jeep, was allegedly driven by a young boy from the Rigachikun community, who fled the scene immediately following the collision.
It is believed that the boy’s father holds a significant political position within the community.
“We lost eight members of our family that evening,” Daily Trust quoted a grieving father and husband who resides in Sabon Gari, Tudun Wada, Malam Jamilu Usman Mai Yadi, as revealing.
“My wife, Khadija Umar, my two children – Sadiq, 16, and Muhammad, 9, her younger and elder sisters, and their aunt all d!ed. In total, ten members of my family were hit; eight d!ed and two are still in the hospital.”
According to him, the victims were standing by the roadside, hoping to catch a ride home, when the vehicle suddenly veered off the road and ploughed into them.
“The driver must have been speeding because my wife’s leg was broken beyond repair. Sadiq’s body was only brought back to us later by Road Safety officials,” Mai Yadi noted in anger.
Among the deceased was Zainab Muhammad, who was eight months pregnant with twins.
Her husband, Sulaiman Abdulkadir Mai Shinkafa, a cleric from Hayin Rigasa, recounted the aftermath of the accident in distressing detail.
“She was due to give birth very soon. All the baby items were ready. We even named the unborn twins Hassan and Hussaini. Our 6-year-old son Khalid was also hit.
“Her body was crushed. My son’s bones were shattered. We had to use planks to gather their remains before burial. It’s something no family should ever witness,” the bereaved father told reporters.
Mai Shinkafa, like other grieving relatives, expressed deep disappointment over what they described as government and community neglect.
“No one from the boy’s family, whose father was a prominent politician in the community, or from the Kaduna State government has come to condole with us. Not even a word,” he lamented.
“Even the father of the driver didn’t show up. It’s as though our lives don’t matter.”
