DAMAGUM, Nigeria — Two people were killed and 32 others injured after a commercial passenger bus crashed into worshippers during Juma’at prayers at a mosque in Yobe State, officials said.
The crash occurred on Friday at the JIBWIS Juma’at Mosque along the Kano–Maiduguri highway in Damagum, the headquarters of Fune Local Government Area.
Hon. Idi Barde Gubana, the deputy governor of Yobe State, said preliminary findings indicated that the bus had been travelling at high speed before the driver lost control and rammed into the congregation.
“We are here on behalf of Governor Mai Mala Buni and the Yobe State Government over the unfortunate incident that occurred on Friday, in which two people lost their lives while 32 others sustained injuries,” Gubana said during a condolence visit to the palace of the Emir of Damagum.
Gubana led a state government delegation to commiserate with the bereaved families, injured victims and the emirate.
The deputy governor said the incident led to a brief breakdown of order after some youths and worshippers set the vehicle ablaze. Security operatives were deployed to restore calm and secure the scene.
“This tragedy raises concerns over reckless driving in Damagum, particularly habitual over-speeding by commercial drivers, which continues to claim lives,” he said.
Gubana said the state government had given N2 million to the families of those killed and to the injured victims. He added that free medical treatment had been provided for everyone affected.
He said the government would also consider road safety interventions on highways passing through Damagum to prevent similar crashes.
“I want to assure you that this will not happen again. The state government under Governor Mai Mala Buni has taken steps to prevent a recurrence of this unfortunate incident,” he said.
Officials Call for Road Safety Measures
Gubana urged Islamic scholars and community leaders to discourage worshippers, particularly youths, from holding prayers on highways.
“I want to use this medium to appeal to Islamic scholars and community leaders to educate our youths to stop praying on highways and roads. These roads are meant strictly for vehicular movement, and praying on them, especially on Fridays, endangers lives,” he said.
He also said travellers should not be compelled to stop on highways during Juma’at prayers.
“Islam has exempted travellers from observing Juma’at prayers. Forcing travellers, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, to halt their journeys until prayers are concluded is a violation of their rights, which the state government will not tolerate,” Gubana said.
“The solution is to stop congregational prayers on highways and ensure these roads remain accessible to commuters. We are also calling on the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other security agencies to address over-speeding along the Kano–Maiduguri highway,” he added.
Emir Seeks Roundabouts and Speed Control
Alhaji Saleh Idriss Ibn Usman, the Emir of Fune, thanked the state government for visiting the victims and supporting the emirate.
Usman appealed to the government to construct roundabouts in Damagum and introduce speed control measures, including road bumps, in Ngelzarma and Dogon Kuka to reduce speeding by motorists along the route.
