Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) don talk say na tiredness and overspeeding cause di serious motor accident wey kill 21 athletes and sports officials from Kano State.
Di people wey die bin dey come back from di 2024 National Sports Festival wey happen for Abeokuta before di accident happen.
Di crash happen around 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 31, near Gadar Yankifi for Kaduna-Kano expressway. Na one Kano State Government coaster bus with plate number KN 041 A17 wey carry 24 people — 23 men and one woman — dey involved.
For one statement wey FRSC spokesperson, Olusegun Ogungbemide, release, dem confirm say di bus run comot for road and e cause serious accident. 21 of di passengers, all na men, die for di scene. Di remaining three people — including di only woman — carry injury go hospital.
“Di accident involve one coaster bus with plate number KN 041 A17 wey belong to Kano State Government. E carry 24 people — 23 men and 1 woman,” na wetin di statement talk.
“3 people survive — 2 men and 1 woman wey dem carry go hospital. But 21 people, all men, die immediately for di scene.”
Among di people wey die, na athletes from wrestling and kickboxing, journalists, sports officials, referees, one medical worker, di PRO of Kano State Sports Commission, and two drivers dey inside. One of dem, Imam Umar Fagge, wey be football referee, na younger brother of di acting chairman of Kano State Sports Commission.
FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, say di matter pain am well and he send condolences to di families of di people wey die and di Kano State Government.
“Di Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, don express deep pain and send him condolence to Kano State Government and di families of all di people wey die for dis accident wey happen because of tiredness and overspeeding from night journey,” di statement talk.
After di accident, Shehu Mohammed beg commercial drivers and bus companies make dem allow their drivers rest well before journey, and make dem obey speed rules especially for night.
“Di Corps Marshal talk say make fleet operators warn their drivers make dem no dey drive when dem dey tired or dey speed, especially for night wey visibility dey poor,” e add.
E still beg all road users make dem put safety first.
“E beg everybody wey dey use road make dem dey careful, obey traffic law, and make sure say their motor dey in good condition. Make drivers rest well before dem enter road,” na wetin he talk.
President Bola Tinubu describe di crash as serious wahala wey pain di whole country. He say di matter don overshadow di spirit of di National Sports Festival wey suppose bring unity and showcase talent. He send condolences to Kano State Government and call for urgent action to improve transport safety for Nigeria.
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State still talk say di matter pain am well.
“Na serious pain say 20 strong athletes wey represent Kano for Gateway 2024 Games don die for dis kain bad and painful condition,” he talk. “Dis na young talents wey get plenty to offer Nigeria.”
Kano State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, also cry over di matter. He say di accident don shake Kano sports community.
“Na very painful time for us. Dis bad accident happen just as our athletes dey come back from representing our great state with pride. We dey mourn with their families and di whole sports community for Kano,” he talk.
