A wedding celebration turned into mass mourning in Zamfara State on Saturday, September 13, 2025. At least 19 people died when a vehicle carrying a bride and her family fell into a river after the Gwalli Bridge collapsed.
The accident happened around 4:45 pm in Fass community, Gummi Local Government Area. The victims were travelling to Jega when the bridge gave way.
Eyewitnesses said all 19 victims were relatives of the late Sheikh Dauda Fass, a former member of the Zamfara State House of Assembly.
“The car fell from the bridge into the water. As they were brought out, we found 19 of them dead, including men, women, and children,” said Babangida Halifa Ibrahim Fass.
The Gwalli Bridge has been in poor condition for years. Though it was once rehabilitated under ex-Governor Abdulazeez Yari, heavy rains damaged it again seven years ago.
Earlier this year, villagers from Gwalli, Yar Gusau, and Fass tried to fix it with sand-filling. Their effort was noble, but not enough.
On Saturday, the bridge finally gave up. Lives were lost in seconds.
Community leaders called the incident an “avoidable tragedy.” They blamed government neglect for the deaths.
Locals are asking the government to rebuild the collapsed bridge, provide relief for grieving families, upgrade rural infrastructure in Bardoki ward and the Gummi axis.
“This is not just a Gwalli problem, but a crisis affecting the entire Bardoki ward,” one resident said. “We want the government to come to our aid before more lives are lost.”
The Fass community buried their dead in sorrow. Residents warn that unless the bridge is rebuilt, more tragedies may follow.
Will the government act before more life is lost?
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