FRSC blames speeding for death of 21 Kano athletes
The Federal Road Safety Corps has blamed fatigue and excessive speed for the tragic road crash that claimed the lives of 21 Kano State athletes and officials returning from the just-concluded 2024 National Sports Festival in Abeokuta.
The accident occurred at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Saturday near Gadar Yankifi along the Kaduna-Kano expressway, involving a Kano State Government coaster bus with registration number KN 041 A17.
According to a statement signed by the corps spokesperson Olusegun Ogungbemide, the bus was carrying 24 passengers – 23 male adults and one female adult – when it veered off the road.
Three survivors, including the only female passenger, sustained injuries and were rushed to hospital, whilst the remaining 21 victims, all male adults, were confirmed dead at the scene.
“The crash involved a coaster bus with registration number KN 041 A17 belonging to Kano State Government had 24 people on board comprising of 23 Male adults and 1 female adult,”
“While 3 of the victims, 4 male adults and 1 female adult were rescued to the hospital with injuries, the remaining 21 victims all male adults were killed as at the time of the press release.”
The victims were part of Team Kano returning from the 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games 2024, which ended on Thursday with the closing ceremony at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta. Sources revealed that the deceased included wrestling and kickboxing athletes, journalists, secretaries of sports associations, referees, the public relations officer of the Kano State Sports Commission, medical personnel and two drivers.
One of the deceased was identified as Imam Umar Fagge, a football referee and younger brother of the acting chairman of the Kano State Sports Commission, Umar Fagge.
