31 May, 2025
TAIWO Ogunniyi
Kano State has been thrown into mourning following a tragic motor accident that claimed the lives of 22 members of its contingent returning from the 22nd National Sports Festival held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The victims, including athletes, journalists, medical staff and sports officials, lost their lives when the bus conveying them crashed into the Dakatsalle bridge in Kura Local Government Area of Kano State in the early hours of Saturday.
The bus, which had 35 passengers on board, was returning from the national sporting event where the team had put up a commendable performance, clinching 29 medals. Sadly, many of the medal-winning athletes were among those who perished in the accident.
One of the survivors of the crash, Ado Salisu Gama, confirmed the severity of the incident, describing the moment as horrifying.
“Twenty-two people have been confirmed dead at Dakatsalle bridge, just before Kura. The driver too is dead. As I speak with you, one other member just died,” he said.
According to Salisu, some of the injured were rushed to the Kura General Hospital where they are currently receiving medical attention.
The heartbreaking loss has cast a dark shadow over what should have been a moment of celebration for Kano State’s impressive showing at the festival. The state government is yet to officially comment on the tragedy.
