The family of Pastor Abraham Samuel of the Potter's Porch Church, Minna and the other passengers in the bus were said to be travelling from Lagos to Minna when the crash occurred at about 8 p.m. on Saturday.
Eyewitnesses said the bus caught fire shortly after the accident, making rescue efforts extremely difficult. One passenger was however rescued, but not without serious burns.
Confirming the accident, Special Adviser to the Niger State Government on Emergency and Disaster Management, Mohammed Shaba, said eight bodies had been recovered from the scene of the accident, even though the bus was believed to be carrying 18 passengers at the time of the accident, adding that the corpses of the deceased had been deposited at the Minna General Hospital.
In a great show of faith, the Pastor who lost his family was seen preaching during yesterday's church service after which he announced the demise of his wife and three children.
Members of the church were said to have screamed at the news, with tears rolling down many cheeks uncontrollably, but the Pastor remained calm with elders of the church around him.
The calm but sober Pastor Samuel said of his dead family; "My wife and the kids are resting."
