The National Association of Nigerian Students has expressed deep sorrow over the death of 22 athletes from Kano State who died in a tragic road accident on Saturday.
The accident happened at Gadar Yankifi in Garun Malam Local Government Area of Kano State. The athletes were returning from the National Sports Festival, which was recently held in Ogun State.
The Federal Road Safety Corps confirmed that 22 people died in the crash, while 11 others were injured.
NANS, in a statement signed by its National Public Relations Officer, Samson Adeyemi, described the incident as heartbreaking and a great loss to both the student and sports communities.
“This heartbreaking incident has cast a shadow of grief over the entire nation, particularly the youth and sports communities, as we mourn the untimely demise of these talented individuals who dedicated their lives to representing their state and uplifting the spirit of unity through sports,” Adeyemi said.
He added, “We extend our heartfelt sympathies to His Excellency, the Governor of Kano State, the Kano State Sports Council, and the entire people of Kano at this difficult time. The loss of these bright stars is not only a loss to their immediate families but to the nation as a whole.”
President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and the Nigerian Governors Forum have also sent their condolences to the families of the victims and the Kano State Government.
The FRSC blamed speeding as the cause of the fatal accident.
NANS called on the federal and state governments to take urgent steps to protect the lives of athletes and other citizens, especially during national events that involve long-distance travel.
Adeyemi said, “We urge both state and federal governments to prioritise the safety and welfare of athletes and citizens during travel to and from national events. A thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding this accident must be carried out to prevent future occurrences.”
Nigerians across the country have continued to express sadness over the incident, calling for better travel safety measures for sports teams and other groups.
