The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has said that excessive speed and driver fatigue likely caused the tragic accident that claimed the lives of 21 members of Team Kano, who were returning from the just-concluded 2024 National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The fatal crash occurred around 12:30 p.m. on Saturday along the Kaduna-Kano expressway, near Gadar Yankifi. It involved a Kano State Government Coaster bus with registration number KN 041 A17. The bus, which was carrying 24 passengers, veered off the road, leading to the deaths of 21 men at the scene.
In a statement released by the FRSC spokesperson, Olusegun Ogungbemide, the passengers were mainly athletes, officials, journalists, and support staff returning from the 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged “Gateway Games 2024”. Three others — including the only female passenger — were rescued with injuries and rushed to hospital.
The FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, described the accident as deeply tragic, expressing condolences to the families of the deceased and the Kano State Government. He warned transport operators against night trips, fatigue, and overspeeding.
“This crash may have been caused by driver fatigue and speeding after a long journey,” Mohammed said. “All fleet operators must enforce rest periods and safety checks, especially during night travels where visibility is poor.”
Among those who died was Imam Umar Fagge, a football referee and the younger brother of the acting chairman of the Kano State Sports Commission, Umar Fagge. Others included wrestling and kickboxing athletes, referees, journalists, and two drivers.
President Bola Tinubu described the accident as “a devastating blow to the nation.” In a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu said: “This tragedy casts a shadow over what should have been a celebration of national unity and youth excellence.”
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, said he was “traumatised” by the news, calling the loss “painful and distressing,” while the Kano State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, said the state was in mourning.
“This is a deeply painful moment for all of us,” Kwankwaso said. “Our athletes had just made us proud, and now we are grieving.”
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also joined in mourning the athletes. In a message on social media, he wrote, “These young men and women represented the best of our nation — dedicated, talented, and full of promise.”
In response to the tragedy, the National Sports Commission (NSC) announced plans to overhaul safety procedures. According to a statement signed by NSC Director of Press, Dr Kehinde Ajayi, new guidelines will include mandatory insurance coverage for all contingents and mechanical certification for all transport vehicles used during sports festivals.
NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko described the incident as “a dark moment” for the Nigerian sports community. “Just when we were celebrating a successful sports festival, we’re hit with this tragedy,” he said.
Director-General of the festival, Bukola Olopade, added, “Kano has long been a pillar in Nigerian sports. This loss is not just a blow to one state, but to the entire sports community.”
As the country mourns, there are renewed calls for better road safety enforcement and stronger welfare protection for athletes and officials, especially during long-distance travel.
