By Barth Ikiebe
Over 21 athletes from the Kano State contingent, who were returning from the 22nd National Sports Festival in Ogun State have died after their Bus crashed at Dakatsalle Bridge in Kura Local Government of the State.
The bus overturned, and 21 people were confirmed dead at the scene, including the driver.
The tragic incident, which occurred around 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, has left the nation’s sports community in mourning and raised fresh concerns about road safety in Nigeria.
The vehicle, carrying approximately 35 passengers—primarily athletes and officials—was part of a convoy of eight buses transporting the Kano delegation back to the state after a successful outing at the festival, where they secured 29 medals.
According to survivor Ado Salisu, the ill-fated bus, the last in the convoy, plunged off the bridge after hitting a pothole, leading to catastrophic consequences.
“The bus overturned, and 21 people were confirmed dead at the scene, including the driver,” Salisu recounted from Kura General Hospital, where survivors are receiving treatment.
Umar Fagge, Chairman of the Kano State Sports Commission, confirmed the tragedy, noting that several other passengers sustained injuries of varying degrees and were rushed to Kura General Hospital for emergency care.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Kano Sector Command, through its Public Relations Officer Abdullahi Labaran, also verified the accident, with preliminary reports suggesting the crash was triggered by the driver losing control, possibly due to road conditions.
Among the deceased were athletes, journalists, medical personnel, and administrators, underscoring the profound loss to the Kano sports community and beyond.
Eyewitnesses described a harrowing scene, with the bus plummeting from the bridge and leaving a trail of devastation.
The exact cause of the accident remains under investigation, with authorities yet to release an official statement on the precise circumstances. However, past incidents along the Kano-Zaria highway, including a 2020 crash in Kura that claimed nine lives due to drivers dodging potholes, point to recurring road safety challenges in the region.
Sources indicate that the Kano state government is coordinating with relevant agencies to support the victims’ families and the injured.
