FRSC Mourns 21 Kano Crash Victims, Warns Against Speeding
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed that driver fatigue and excessive speed were the primary causes of the tragic crash that claimed the lives of 21 athletes and officials from Kano State.
The victims were returning from the 2024 National Sports Festival in Abeokuta when the fatal accident occurred.
According to FRSC spokesperson Olusegun Ogungbemide, the incident took place around 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 31, near Gadar Yankifi along the Kaduna-Kano Expressway.
The crash involved a Kano State Government-owned Coaster bus (registration number KN 041 A17) transporting 24 passengers — 23 men and one woman.
The bus veered off the road in what FRSC described as a lone crash, leading to the death of 21 male adults at the scene.
The three survivors — two men and the sole female passenger — were rescued with injuries and taken to a nearby hospital.
Among the deceased were athletes from wrestling and kickboxing, sports officials, journalists, referees, a medical staff member, the public relations officer of the Kano State Sports Commission, and two drivers.
One of the victims, Imam Umar Fagge, was the younger brother of the Commission’s acting chairman.
FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed expressed deep sorrow and extended heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families and the Kano State Government.
He attributed the crash to the strain of long-distance night travel, which likely led to driver exhaustion and reckless speeding.
The Corps Marshal issued a strong appeal to commercial transport operators and fleet managers, urging them to enforce rest periods for drivers and strictly observe speed limits, particularly during night journeys when visibility is poor.
He stressed the importance of vehicle maintenance, compliance with road safety regulations, and ensuring drivers are well-rested and alert.
Reacting to the tragedy, President Bola Tinubu called the accident a “devastating blow to the nation,” noting that it cast a dark shadow over the National Sports Festival — an event intended to promote national unity and sporting excellence.
He called for urgent reforms in transportation safety to prevent similar tragedies.
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, where the sports festival was held, expressed deep grief, describing the victims as “gallant athletes and budding stars” who had so much potential and promise for the country.
Kano State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, also mourned the loss, describing it as a heart-wrenching tragedy for the state’s sporting community.
“These young people represented Kano with pride and dedication. We are deeply saddened by this unimaginable loss,” he said.
The tragic event has renewed calls for enhanced road safety enforcement, especially for long-distance public transportation, to prevent further loss of lives on Nigerian roads.
FRSC Mourns 21 Kano Crash Victims, Warns Against Speeding