The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has attributed the tragic crash that killed 21 athletes and officials from Kano State to driver fatigue and excessive speeding.
The victims were returning from the 2024 National Sports Festival in Abeokuta when the accident occurred.
The incident took place around 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 31, near Gadar Yankifi along the Kaduna-Kano expressway.
The vehicle involved was a Kano State Government coaster bus, registered as KN 041 A17, carrying 24 people—23 men and one woman.
According to FRSC spokesperson Olusegun Ogungbemide, the bus veered off the road in a lone crash.
Twenty-one male adults were confirmed dead at the scene, while the remaining three passengers—two men and the only female—sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital for treatment.
Among the deceased were athletes from wrestling and kickboxing, journalists, sports officials, referees, a medical worker, the public relations officer of the Kano State Sports Commission, and two drivers.
One of the victims, football referee Imam Umar Fagge, was the younger brother of the acting chairman of the state’s sports commission.
FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended condolences to the bereaved families and the Kano State Government.
He stressed that fatigue and speeding were likely causes, especially given the long overnight journey the team undertook.
In response to the tragedy, the corps marshal urged fleet operators and commercial drivers to enforce rest periods and adhere strictly to speed limits, particularly during night-time trips when visibility is low.
“All road users must prioritise safety, obey traffic laws, and ensure vehicles are well-maintained. Drivers must avoid fatigue and excessive speed to prevent further loss of lives,” he advised.
President Bola Tinubu also mourned the victims, calling the incident a “devastating blow to the nation” that cast a shadow over the National Sports Festival. He called for urgent reforms to enhance transportation safety nationwide.
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun described the loss as traumatic. “It is heartbreaking that 20 talented athletes from Kano who participated in the Gateway 2024 Games died under such painful circumstances,” he said.
Kano State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, said the state’s sporting community was in mourning. “This is a deeply painful moment. Our athletes represented Kano with pride and dedication, and we are shattered by this loss,” he said.
