A devastating road accident in northern Nigeria on Saturday claimed the lives of 22 individuals, including athletes, coaches, and officials, while leaving several others with serious injuries. The victims were reportedly returning from the 22nd National Sports Festival held in Ogun State, southwestern Nigeria. The festival had concluded with a closing ceremony on Thursday after 11 days of events.

The Kano State government office confirmed the tragic incident. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf expressed profound sadness, stating, "It is with a deeply saddened heart that I received the tragic news of the unfortunate incident which claimed the lives of 22 innocent citizens and left several others injured. On behalf of the government and the good people of Kano State, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. We mourn with you and share in your grief." The statement also noted that the majority of the victims were young people.

According to Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps, the incident was a "lone road crash that might have occurred as a result of fatigue and excessive speed." The crash transpired at 12:30 a.m. local time on Saturday.

The Nigeria’s National Sports Commission (NSC) conveyed its deep sorrow over the event, saying in a statement posted to Instagram that it was "deeply heartbroken" by the "tragic road accident." NSC Chairperson Mallam Dikko paid tribute to the athletes, remarking that they "carried the hope of a brighter future for our nation through their passion and commitment to excellence in sports." He further emphasized, "It is our duty to ensure such heroes are never forgotten."

Condolences were also shared by various sports organizations, including Kano Pillars, Kano’s local soccer team, and the Nigeria Tennis Federation. In response to the tragedy, Governor Yusuf announced that Monday would be observed as a day of mourning in Kano, for "the good people of Kano to pray and sympathize with the families of the victims."