By Kano fatal auto crash
22 dead as athletes return from sports festival
Summary
- A Toyota Coaster bus carrying Kano State athletes from the Gateway Games plunged off a bridge, killing 22 people and injuring several others.
- The crash occurred at Dakatsalle Bridge in Kura LGA on May 31, 2025, with fatigue, speeding, and poor road conditions cited as likely causes.
- Victims included athletes, coaches, sports officials, medical staff, and a journalist, returning from a national sports festival in Abeokuta.
- Reactions poured in nationwide as Kano declared a day of mourning and pledged support for affected families.
Kano, Nigeria – At least 22 people were killed and several others injured in a devastating auto crash involving a Kano State contingent returning from the 22nd National Sports Festival, held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The tragedy occurred on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at Dakatsalle Bridge in Kura Local Government Area, roughly 50 kilometers from Kano city, along the Kano-Zaria expressway.
The victims were travelling in a Toyota Coaster bus marked KN041 A17, one of eight vehicles transporting the state’s athletes and officials home after the biennial multi-sport event known as the “Gateway Games.” The crash took place between 9:00 AM and 12:30 PM, depending on varying reports.
According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the bus, carrying approximately 30 to 35 passengers—mostly male adults—lost control and plunged off the bridge into a river or the area beneath.
The crash claimed the lives of athletes, coaches, sports officials, medical personnel, and media workers, including the driver. A photojournalist with Express Radio and the Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Sports Commission were among the deceased.
Eyewitnesses and preliminary investigations suggest that fatigue from the long overnight journey, combined with excessive speed, played a role. The narrow, dilapidated bridge, long described by locals as a “death trap”, may have further contributed to the deadly outcome. Concerns were also raised about possible overcrowding on the bus.
Injured passengers were rushed to nearby Kura General Hospital and Nasarawa Specialist Hospital for emergency treatment. Rescue efforts by emergency responders, FRSC officials, and local residents were ongoing in the hours after the incident, as authorities worked to confirm the total number of casualties.
The Kano State team had earlier concluded their participation in the National Sports Festival with a commendable performance, finishing 13th overall with 29 medals: 6 gold, 13 silver, and 10 bronze. The athletes had been celebrated as local heroes, making their sudden deaths a painful blow to the state and the wider sporting community.
In response, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf declared Monday, June 2, a public holiday for prayers and mourning. He extended heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families and announced ₦1 million and food items for each bereaved household. The state also committed to supporting the injured and reviewing athlete transport policies.
A High-powered delegation on condolence visit to Kano day after the auto crash
Hon. Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Kano State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, described the crash as a “deeply painful moment,” affirming the government’s commitment to the welfare of athletes and the need to improve safety conditions for sports delegations.
National and international responses have poured in. The National Sports Commission (NSC), led by Chairman Shehu Dikko, expressed profound sorrow, remembering the deceased as “carriers of a brighter future.”
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar called for enhanced transport safety measures and described the victims as “dedicated, talented, and full of promise.”
Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) advocated for infrastructure upgrades and suggested that air travel should be considered for future athlete logistics. He called for posthumous honors to be bestowed on the fallen, whom he called “symbols of hope, discipline, and national unity.”
The crash once again brings attention to Nigeria’s persistent road safety issues, including poor infrastructure, overworked drivers, and the lack of enforcement of traffic laws.
The Dakatsalle Bridge, in particular, has a history of accidents, prompting renewed calls for reconstruction and comprehensive national road safety reforms.
As the nation mourns, the memory of these athletes, who represented their state with pride and distinction, remains a reminder of the need to safeguard those who serve as ambassadors of peace and unity through sports.
