Nigerian Students' Union Declares Three-Day Mourning For Five Students Killed In Auto Crash

According to SaharaReporters, the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) has ordered a 3 three-day mourning for some students' union leaders who died in an auto crash on Thursday and 13 others hospitalised.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Public Relations Office, NANS Zone A.

The victims were said to be members of the Students' Union Government in their institutions: the Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education, Kumbotso and Federal College of Education, Kano.

They were reportedly going for the inauguration of the NANS Zone A coordinator. 

The statement from the PRO reads: ”We received the news of the demise of five of our students from Kano axis of NANS, majority of who are students of Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education, Kumbotso, following a ghastly motor accident while on their way to Katsina to attend a function.

“Man cannot question the act of God Almighty, October 28 remains a day to remember, as such, NANS zone A under the leadership of Comrade Adamu Kichinga declares a three-day mourning,” the statement said on Thursday.

The Coordinator, Usman Hayatu Mazadu wrote on Facebook: “This joyous day has turned into a sad one. Almighty Allah has willed that we would lose 4 of our colleagues in struggle to the cold hands of death by a road traffic accident. They were on their way from Kano to this our inauguration ground. 

“I am sad and overwhelmed by the burden of the thought that they died on their way to grace the event of my inauguration. It is with a heavy heart that I extend my condolences to all of us on this tragic loss. I pray May Allah forgive them of their sins and wrongdoings and admit them into jannatul Firdaus.

“Ladies and gentlemen, to honour our brothers that we’ve lost today, I wish to announce that we would be cancelling all the programmes slated for this week's event. Only the swearing-in will take place after which we would be embarking on a journey to Kano to attend their Janazah. 

“I indulge us all to be strong and calm in this trying time. I call on all of us travelling by road to ensure extra caution as we drive back home. May Allah forgive our brothers of their sins, we pray may everyone travel back home safely."

Meanwhile, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has commiserated with the families of the victims.

In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary, Abba Anwar on Thursday night, the governor expressed shock over the untimely death of the students, describing it as tormenting.

“We were shocked over the death of our children; the five students who died in an auto crash on their way to Katsina state for zonal students meeting.

“It is sad and tormenting.

“The students involved in the ghastly motor accident around Bichi local government area are Abubakar Sulaiman, Tahir A. Dalhatu, Maryam Abdullahi, A’isha Wada Abdulsalam and Usman Abubakar Abubakar.

“While the first four are from Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education, Kumbotso, the last person is from Federal College of Education, Kano,” he stated.

He prayed for Allah’s Blessing and Forgiveness to the reposed souls and prayed for the quick recovery of the thirteen other students now in hospital.

The governor also described the loss as a tragedy, saying, “It is a tragedy for the state and the nation in general. 

“They were young dedicated and responsible youth who chose to pursue education in order to move the society forward."