Aba Yu, the governor of Kano State, has declared Monday a public holiday to mourn the athletes who tragically lost their lives in a fatal crash on Saturday.
The announcement was made by Sanusi Baturou, the director general of media publicity to the governor. Governor Yu expressed his deep sorrow over the tragedy and extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, describing the incident as a dark moment for the state. He urged residents to remain calm and assured them that the state government is taking necessary steps to support the victims and their families.
The victims, many of whom were young athletes, were part of the Kano State contingent returning from the national sports festival held in Uyo State when the accident occurred in the Gon Malam local government area along the Kano-Kaduna highway. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed that 21 people died in the accident, while seven others are currently receiving treatment at the teaching hospital in Kano State. According to the FRSC, the bus was carrying 32 people, including athletes, journalists, medical personnel, and team officials.
Reports indicate that while several other vehicles in the delegation returned to Kano without incident, this particular bus faced problems and spent the night in Abuja. After early prayers, they set out for Kano but encountered the accident approximately 40 kilometers from the city. Details about the cause of the accident remain unclear, as most of the passengers—many of whom were athletes—did not survive. Community members rushed to assist those still alive, and some family members took their loved ones away before they could be brought to the hospital for necessary assessment. Given the emotional state of the families, it was difficult to prevent them from taking their relatives.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu extended his condolences to the government and people of Kano State and to the families of the victims. He paid tribute to the accident victims, acknowledging their dedication and aspirations, which embodied the resilient Nigerian spirit. The President emphasized the importance of taking concrete steps to prevent such tragedies in the future and to improve safety standards across the nation’s transportation systems. In a statement by his special advisor on information and strategy, Anonuga, President Tinubu prayed for the peaceful repose of the souls of the departed and requested God to grant strength and comfort to the bereaved families.
The governor of Ogun State also expressed his condolences in a statement, stating that he was completely traumatized by the incident, particularly because the athletes were vibrant young people looking forward to a warm reception from their fans and families after proudly representing Kano State at the just-concluded Gateway Games. He honored the delegation as heroes, whose patriotism and commitment to the cause of Kano State and Nigeria will never be forgotten. Governor Abiodun prayed for the repose of the souls of the athletes.
Additionally, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Muhammad, expressed his sadness over the incident and conveyed his sympathy to the Kano State government regarding the tragic road crash. He urged drivers to adhere to traffic regulations, warning against reckless driving and violations of speed limits, especially at night when visibility is poor. The Corps Marshal extended his condolences to Governor Aba Yu and the families of the victims.
