• Victims returning home from just-concluded National Sports Festival
After their successful participation in this year’s National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State, the thought that occupied the minds of the Kano contingent was reuniting with their families.
Numbering 36, they had made phone calls or sent SMS informing their loved ones of their impending arrival.
Little did the Kano contingent, which included athletes, officials, support staff, journalists and medical personnel, know that they were onboard an ill-fated Coastal bus.
Tragedy struck as their bus was involved in a fatal accident at Dakatsalle town, just 50 kilometres from Kano.
19 of the occupants were confirmed dead at the scene of the mishap, which occurred on the Kano-Zaria Highway.
The death toll later rose to 21, leaving 15 of the victims in critical conditions.
Among those confirmed dead were young athletes, a journalist, a chief medical personnel, a public relations officer of Kano Sports Commission, and some sports administrators, witnesses said.
The injured were said last night to be receiving medical attention at Kura General Hospital and Murtala Mohammed Specialists Hospital, both in Kano City.
The accident was believed to have been caused by brake failure, though investigations are ongoing.
Ado Salisu, a senior sports journalist who was part of the contingent in another bus, confirmed the incident to newsmen.
According to Salisu, the bus fell off Dakatsalle Bridge in Kura Local Government Area of the state at about 8 am, resulting in the devastating crash that has brought tears to the entire state of Kano.
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“21 were confirmed dead while 15 with critical injuries have been taken to the hospital,” he said.
Tinubu mourns deceased athletes
The tragic incident has since provoked mourning across the land, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu leading the line.
The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, said in a statement yesterday that he (Tinubu) received the tragic news with deep sorrow.
The statement said on behalf of the Federal Government, President Tinubu extended condolences to the government and people of Kano State as well as to the families of those who died in the accident.
“This is a devastating blow to the nation. It casts a shadow over the National Sports Festival, a celebration of unity, talent and excellence.
“It has long served as a platform for discovering and nurturing athletes who bring pride to Nigeria on both national and international stages,” the President said.
Tinubu paid tribute to the accident victims, whose dedication and aspirations in their various vocations embodied the resilient Nigerian spirit.
He affirmed that the greatest honour the country could accord them was to take concrete steps to prevent such tragedies in the future and improve safety standards across the nation’s transportation systems.
The President prayed for the peaceful repose of the souls of the departed and asked God Almighty to grant strength and comfort to the bereaved families.
NGF condoles with deceased persons’ families
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) yesterday expressed sorrow over the tragic loss of some Kano athletes in an auto crash on yesterday.
A statement signed personally by its Chairman, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, said: “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the athletes, the state government, and the sports community in Kano State and Nigeria.
“We ask Allah to repose the souls of the athletes and give succour to their families at this difficult moment.”
Kano govt expresses sympathy
The Kano State Government also yesterday commiserated with the families of the members of the Kano State contingent to the National Sports Festival involved in the fatal auto crash.
The Kano State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, expressed deep sorrow over the accident.
In an official statement issued on Thursday, Kwankwaso, on behalf of the Kano State Government and the people of the state, extended heartfelt sympathy with the affected athletes, officials and their families.
“This is a deeply painful moment for all of us. We are devastated by the news of the ghastly accident that occurred as our athletes were returning home after representing our great state with pride and commitment.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and the entire sporting community in Kano,” he stated.
The commissioner described the incident as a moment of mourning for the entire state, adding that the government stands firmly with the affected individuals and will ensure they receive the necessary medical attention and support.
Kwankwaso also appreciated the efforts of first responders and medical personnel attending to the victims and assured the public that a full report of the incident would be received and appropriate actions taken.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Kano State Government to the welfare and safety of all athletes and officials who represent the state in national and international sporting engagements.
Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, was also in mourning mood yesterday.
In a post on his office Facebook page, Senator Barau condoled the families of the deceased athletes, the state government, the sports community, as well as the entire people of Kano State.
”I just received the sad news of the accident involving members of the Kano State contingent returning from the just-concluded National Sports Festival (NSF) in Ogun State,” he said.
“May Allah SWT grant all those who lost their lives Jannatul Firdaus and quicken the recovery of the injured.
”I extend my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, the Kano State Government, the sports community and the entire people of the state. ”