TheCable

Abdullahi Ganduje, governor of Kano, has blamed suspected bandits for the death of 16 travellers along the Abuja-Kaduna expressway on Wednesday.

The travellers, said to be from Dambatta local government area of Kano, were returning to the state after a business trip to Abuja when the tragic incident occurred.

The police have since denied that the deceased were shot dead, saying they died in an accident.

“We were shocked with the bad news of the death of 16 Dambatta indigenes on Abuja-Kaduna highway, who were travelling from Abuja to Kano, as a result of an attack from unidentified gunmen,” the governor said in a statement, Abba Anwar, his spokesman, issued on his behalf.

“The news is devastating and frustrating. We commiserate with the families of the deceased, the people of Dambatta local government, and the people of Kano state.

“May Allah accept their martyrdom and may He punish all the perpetrators of this heinous act. There is nothing more shocking than this. We urge people to pray fervently for the reposed souls. And we pray that may Allah give their families the fortitude to bear the great loss.

“On behalf of the government and people of Kano state, I am condoling with the families of the deceased and the people of Dambatta local government, over this tragedy. May Allah forgive all their wrongdoings and reward their good deeds.”

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect police clarification that the deaths were from an accident not a bandit attack.