Tragedy struck on Saturday when athletes and officials that represented Kano State at the National Sports Festival were involved in a fatal road accident along the Kaduna-Kano Expressway, on their way back from Abeokuta, Ogun State where this year’s edition of the event was held.
32 persons – 31 male and one female – were in the bus according to a statement from the Kano Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Commission, while nine more people suffered varying degrees of injuries.
The accident occurred after the bus – reportedly on the road since Saturday – veered off the road around Dakatsalle town, which is about 40 kilometres from their destination. 22 persons lost their lives in the accident, while survivors have reportedly been taken to hospital for treatment.
“We are heartbroken by this tragedy,” Nigeria Sports Commission chairman, Shehu 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.”