A heart‑rending auto crash claimed the lives of 22 members of the Kano State contingent on their way home from the recently concluded National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The incident occurred around 12:30 pm near the Chiromawa Bridge in Bebeji Local Government Area along the Kano–Kaduna Expressway.
The vehicle involved was a Coaster bus owned by the Kano State Government, carrying athletes, coaches, officials, medical staff, drivers and support personnel.
Survivors Describe Moments Before the Crash
Some survivors recounted their final moments before the tragedy. Aminu Idris Abdullahi, kickboxing team captain, said they were chatting when “everything changed in an instant.”
Female athlete Dorathy Okwuzuluike said she held onto her seat tightly before everything went blank and only regained consciousness in a hospital.
Another survivor, Khatimu Hussaini, described seeing a fellow passenger about to be crushed and pulling them to safety before collapsing in pain.
Victims Included Athletes and Officials
Among the deceased were athletes from various sports, coaches, doctors, media personnel, mechanics and administrative staff. Names shared by authorities included organising secretaries, team doctors, coaches, and drivers who had proudly represented Kano in the festival.
The delegation had returned with medals — including gold, silver and bronze — adding to the heartbreak that many of the team’s achievers never made it home.
Government and National Condolences
The Kano State Government extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and declared a public holiday for mourning and prayer.
National leaders, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari, expressed grief and called for improved road safety measures to prevent similar tragedies.
Officials from sports communities and advocacy groups also called for better protection and welfare measures for athletes, including insurance coverage and safer transport arrangements.
Safety and Rescue Efforts
Emergency services, including the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and local authorities, responded swiftly to the scene. A preliminary investigation suggested that speeding and driver fatigue may have contributed to the accident.
Rescue operations transported injured survivors to nearby hospitals, while families of the victims were notified and supported.
