Nearly a dozen children have been killed in an incident in northern Nigeria, where a bus driver ploughed the vehicle into a Muslim procession marking the birthday anniversary of the Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him).

Police spokesman Ahmed Usman said on Wednesday that the incident in the village of Malam Sidi in Gombe state on Tuesday was due to a brake failure. “A total of 11 children died in the incident while 17 others were seriously injured,” media outlets quoted the spokesman as saying. Usman said the victims were aged between 11 and 15. The accident prompted an angry mob to beat the driver to death.

Police have launched an investigation into the accident. Muslims in northern Nigeria celebrate the birthday anniversary with month-long religious gatherings and street processions. Road accidents are common in Nigeria due to poor road construction, lack of proper driving skills, badly maintained vehicles and routine disregard of traffic laws.

Presstv