Wedding Joy Turns to Mourning: 19 Dead as Gwalli Bridge Collapses in Zamfara

What was meant to be a day of love and celebration in Zamfara State ended in unspeakable grief on Saturday, September 13, 2025, when tragedy struck at Fass community in Gummi Local Government Area.

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At about 4:45 pm, a vehicle conveying a bride, her family members, and other wedding guests plunged into a river after the dilapidated Gwalli Bridge suddenly collapsed. At least 19 persons, men, women, and children lost their lives in the heartbreaking incident.

This disaster has not only thrown two families into mourning but has also reopened painful questions about Nigeria’s failing road infrastructure and the cost of government neglect.

How the Tragedy Happened

According to eyewitnesses, the newlywed bride was being transported to her husband’s home in Jega community when the overloaded vehicle attempted to cross the Gwalli Bridge.

The bridge, long known to locals as weak and unsafe, gave way under the weight, sending the vehicle crashing into the waters beneath. Survivors described a scene of chaos as bystanders struggled to rescue passengers trapped inside the sinking vehicle.

Babangida Halifa Ibrahim Fass, a devastated resident who lost relatives in the incident, told reporters:

“This was supposed to be the happiest day of my sister’s life. Instead, it has become our worst nightmare. We begged the authorities to fix this bridge long ago, but they ignored us. Now innocent lives have been wasted.”

Casualties and Rescue Efforts

Community members rushed to the scene, pulling out bodies and struggling to save survivors with ropes, makeshift rafts, and bare hands. Despite their efforts, 19 victims were confirmed dead at the scene.

Among the dead were:

• The bride’s cousins and younger siblings
• Women and children from her extended family
• Close family friends accompanying her to Jega

Some survivors were taken to Gummi General Hospital for urgent treatment, though officials fear the death toll could rise.

A Bridge of Death: Gwalli’s Long History of Neglect

The Gwalli Bridge has for years been described as a death trap by residents. Built decades ago and never maintained, its wooden and concrete structure had shown visible cracks and sagging supports.

Local transporters often complained of its weakness, with some drivers refusing to cross it during the rainy season. Yet, repeated calls for government intervention went unanswered.

This tragedy is a grim reminder of several similar disasters across Nigeria, where weak bridges and collapsed roads continue to claim lives.

Community Anger and Demands

Fass community has been thrown into mourning, with families staging impromptu protests near the collapsed bridge.

Mallam Musa Abdullahi, a youth leader, lamented:

“We have cried to the government for years. We knew this bridge was dangerous. Now they will come here with promises after lives have already been lost. Enough is enough.”

The incident has sparked outrage across social media, with Nigerians questioning why vital infrastructure is left to rot until catastrophe strikes.

FRSC and Government Reactions

While the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed the incident, they emphasized the urgent need for government action on decaying infrastructure.

An FRSC official in Zamfara told RoadKing.ng:

“This is a painful and avoidable tragedy. The Corps has repeatedly advised that bridges and roads in critical condition be repaired, but implementation lies with the relevant government agencies.”

As of press time, both the Zamfara State Government and the Federal Ministry of Works had yet to issue a detailed response.

RoadKing Analysis: Neglect is the Real Killer

This incident underlines a recurring theme on Nigeria’s roads infrastructure collapse is just as deadly as reckless driving.

Bridges like Gwalli, East-West Road stretches, and dozens of others across rural Nigeria remain ticking time bombs. Without urgent intervention, more lives will be lost.

The tragedy also highlights how road safety is not just about law enforcement but also about ensuring the roads and bridges themselves are safe for use.

Lessons and Recommendations

1. Immediate Rehabilitation: Gwalli Bridge must be rebuilt, with temporary alternatives provided for Fass and neighboring communities.
2. National Audit of Bridges: Nigeria needs a comprehensive inspection of all rural bridges, prioritizing those at risk of collapse.
3. Community Reporting Channels: FRSC and state governments must establish hotlines for locals to report dangerous roads and bridges.
4. Stricter Accountability: Contractors and government officials who neglect critical infrastructure should face penalties.

Conclusion

For the families in Zamfara, what was meant to be a joyful wedding day has become a lifetime of grief. Their loss is Nigeria’s collective reminder that neglected infrastructure kills as surely as any reckless driver.

Until the government takes decisive action, communities across the nation remain at the mercy of collapsing bridges, bad roads, and preventable tragedies.