No fewer than 20 athletes from the Kano contingent, returning from the just-concluded National Sports Festival held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, were killed, while many others were injured in a fatal accident at the Dakatsalle Bridge.
The Chairman of the Kano State Sports Commission, Umar Bala Fagge, confirmed the incident. He explained that the bus carrying 30 athletes plunged into the bridge.
“As I am speaking to you now, we have counted 19 dead bodies,” he said.
In a sober reflection, Ado Salisu, a former Vice President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), stated that the victims were still being conveyed to Kura General Hospital.
Among the deceased was the son of Express Radio’s sports correspondent, Salisu Musa Jegus.
Road accidents are unfortunately common in Nigeria due to factors such as poor road conditions, overloading, and reckless driving.
Authorities may issue statements or launch investigations into the possible cause of the accident.
The funeral prayer (Janazah) for the deceased is expected to be held collectively at the Emir’s Palace in Kano State, likely after Asr (La’asar) prayer. May their gentle souls rest in Janatul Firdausi.
