The Kano State government has declared today a public holiday to mourn the death of 22 athletes who lost their lives in a tragic auto crash on Saturday.

The athletes were killed near Kuri, about 50 kilometres from Kano, while returning from Abeokuta, Ogun State, where they had represented Kano at the 22nd National Sports Festival.

In a statement signed by the Director-General of Media and Publicity, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf expressed profound sorrow and extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims.

“On behalf of the government and the good people of Kano State, we wish to extend our heartfelt condolences over the unfortunate incident that occurred to the brave Kano team members on their way back home along the Kano–Zaria expressway,” the statement read.

The governor described the incident as a dark moment for the state, saying, “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.”

He added, “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.”

Governor Yusuf also approved today as a public holiday to sympathise with the victims’ families and called for calm and unity during this challenging time. He assured that all necessary efforts were being made to support the families and survivors.

This came as Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, yesterday, sent a delegation to Kano State to commiserate with the government and people of the state over the loss of the athletes and officials.

The governor also gave N1 million each to the families of the victims as initial support over the loss of their loved ones, totaling N31 million. The delegation led by the Ogun State Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, included the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tokunbo Talabi; the Commissioner for Sports Development, Wasiu Isiaka and the Executive Secretary, Local Organising Committee (LOC), Gateway Games Ogun 2024, Dr Kweku Tandoh.

The delegation, which arrived Kano around 9:00 a.m., was received by officials of the Kano State Government led by the Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdusalam Gwarzo.

Expressing Governor Abiodun’s sense of profound personal loss over the tragic incident, the Ogun Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, commiserated with the Kano State Government over the tragic incident.

Responding, Gwarzo expressed the Kano State Government’s appreciation for the visit, saying that the government was not in doubt about Governor Abiodun’s concern.

Meanwhile, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) identified driver fatigue and speeding as the primary causes of the fatal accident. The Corps Marshal, Mr Shehu Mohammed, disclosed this in a statement issued by the Corps Public Education Officer, Mr Olusegun Ogungbemide, on Saturday in Abuja.

The statement reported that the coaster bus, with registration number KN 041 A17 and owned by the Kano State Government, was carrying 24 occupants: 23 males and one female. Twenty-one of the males died on the spot, while the remaining three occupants, including two males and the lone female, sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital.

“Preliminary investigations suggest driver fatigue and speeding were the primary causes, especially during night travel when visibility is reduced and risks are heightened,” Mohammed said.