A total of 22 people have been confirmed dead after an accident in Kano State in Nigeria involving a bus returning from a sports festival in the south-west of the country.
The deceased include athletes, coaches, medical staff, officials, and a journalist.
The victims were returning from the recently concluded National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The fatal crash occurred near the town of Dakatsalle, about 40km from Kano, when the state bus transporting the contingent veered off the road and overturned.
The group was making the long journey of over 1,000km back to Kano after participating in the 22nd edition of the festival, which ended on Friday.
In addition to the 22 fatalities, nine people sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the Kura General Hospital. One individual on board reportedly escaped unhurt.
Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission (NSC), expressed profound grief over the tragedy.
“This is a very sad day for Nigerian sports. We are heartbroken by this tragedy,” Dikko said in a statement. “These were promising athletes and dedicated officials who had just served their state and country with pride. Their loss is immeasurable.”
The National Sports Festival is a cornerstone of Nigeria’s sporting calendar, fostering youth development, unity, and national pride through athletics.
The latest edition was a successful outing for Kano State, with the team securing 29 medals.
However, the celebrations have been overshadowed by this heartbreaking loss.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that some medal-winning athletes are among the deceased.
Meanwhile, families of the victims have begun making burial arrangements, as the state and nation grapple with the sorrow of losing some of their brightest sporting talents.
