According to eyewitnesses, the guests were escorting the newlywed sister of Babangida Halifa Ibrahim Fass to her husband's home in Jega community when the disaster occurred. The victims included men, women, and children.
The collapsed bridge, which connects several communities, had been in disrepair for years. Despite makeshift repairs, the bridge eventually gave way, leading to Saturday's tragedy. Residents blame years of government neglect for the collapse.
Governor Dauda Lawal's spokesperson, Mustapha Jafaru Kaura, initially claimed unawareness of the incident but promised to investigate. However, further attempts to reach him for comment were unsuccessful.
Residents are appealing to both federal and state governments to urgently reconstruct the bridge to prevent further loss of lives, warning against "empty promises." The deceased will be buried on Sunday morning.