Pregnant Woman, Six Others Burnt To Death On Sagamu-Benin Expressway
. Muslim Umah Mourn, MSSN Plans Special Prayer For Deceased
. Al-Mu’minaat Cancels Event
By Abimbola Abdullahi
The Muslim folk was thrown into mourning Wednesday as seven persons were burnt to death when a Mazda bus conveying them went up in flames.
SlyeNews learnt that a heavily pregnant woman, a nursing mother and two kids were among the seven persons that lost their lives in the lone accident.
They victims were going for a four-day training programme tagged Al-Mu’minaat Training Forum (ATF) at Vanguard Academy, Odosengolu near Ijebu-ode, Ogun state.
While on the journey, the bus marked AGL 886 YD suddenly exploded with flames from the engine side, setting off chaos in the bus as the agonizing passengers laboured to escape.
The driver of the bus was said to have fled the scene without looking for a way to rescue the trapped passengers.
The deceased include 38-year-old nursing mother, Basirat Adebanjo and her two-year-old daughter, Abidat Adebanjo. Basirat, whose corpse reportedly clawed and hugged the remains of her two year-old daughter.
Other who died in the accident included Kafilah Akindele, Azeezah AbdulMajeed, Halimah Lawal, Shakirah Zakariyya and one Iya Al-Ameen.
Seven other persons with serious burns are receiving treatment at National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Gbagada General Hospital, Gbagada and Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Meta – all in Lagos State.
The lone accident occurred a few metres away from Odogbolu junction along the Sagamu-Benin expressway.
Meanwhile, the organisers of the training programme have cancelled the event.
National Amirah (President) of Al-Mu’minaat, Alhaja Nimatallah AbdulQadri, said the cancellation became necessary to mourn their departed members.
While calling for understanding among members who came from various states for the event, the National Amirah condoled with the families of deceased.
She said the association is doing all it could to ensure the injured ones are taken to best facility Centre for their treatment.
She called for prayers for the deceased and the injured ones.
The lone accident occurred a few metres away from Odogbolu junction along the Sagamu-Benin expressway.
The annual training programme was organised by the national body Al-Mu’minaat (The Believing Women) Organisation.
The dead Muslim women have been buried according toIslamic rites.
However, the Muslim Students’ of Nigeria, Lagos State Area Unit has mourned the death of six of the mothers of their members on Ijebu Ode-Ore Expressway.
The deceased were buried at the Muslim Burial Ground, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
According to the Federal Road Safety Corps Ogun Sector Command, the accident happened on Wednesday, December 28th, 2022 around 3pm along Ijebu-Ode Expressway some metres after Odogbolu.
Seven persons died while others were injured in the accident involving a Mazda with registration number AGL886YD.
The Amir of MSSNLagos, Miftahudeen Thanni, who led a delegation to attend the burial, commiserated with the families of the deceased, Al-Muminaat (The believing women) and the generality of Muslims.
While expressing sadness over the incident, Thanni said, “We grieve with our mothers , sisters at Al-muminaat and the Nigerian Muslim communities at this trying time over the auto accident that killed some Muslim women on the road travelling for the annual four-day Annual Islamic training exercise in Ijebu-Ode.
“They were striving to earn paradise but they died in the process. It is our belief that they are inmates of paradise at the moment. These are women who have worked so hard to build an ideal society, train responsible youths and keep the flag of Islam flying.
“We are devastated but pray that Allah grant them Jannat and give their families the fortitude to bear the great loss.”
Thanni also wished other survivors who sustained burns and injuries a quck recovery.
As a way to honour the deceased, the MSSNLagos President said salatul al-Ghaib (special prayer for the deceased) would be held at Human Capital Development Centre, Epe on Friday.
