The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of 21 Kano State athletes in a road accident in the Garun Malam Local Government Area of Kano.

The athletes were returning from the National Sports Festival held in Ogun State when the crash occurred at Gadar Yankifi on Saturday.

According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Kano, 21 members of the state contingent died, while 11 others sustained injuries of varying severity.

In a statement released by NANS National Public Relations Officer Samson Adeyemi, the association described the incident as a tragic loss for the student and sports communities. Adeyemi said.

“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.”

He extended sympathies to the Kano State Government, the Sports Council, families of the deceased, and the people of Kano, adding, “The loss of these bright stars is not only a loss to their immediate families but to the nation as a whole.”

Adeyemi also urged both federal and state governments to implement stronger safety measures for athletes and citizens during travel to national events, stressing the need for a thorough investigation to prevent similar tragedies.

The Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, expressed his condolences in a Facebook post, describing the accident as “heartbreaking” and praying for mercy for the deceased and healing for the injured.

“May Allah SWT grant all those who lost their lives Jannatul Firdaus and quicken the recovery of the injured,” he wrote. Jibrin extended his sympathies to the families, the Kano State Government, and the sports community, noting that the deceased athletes were part of Kano’s delegation competing in various sporting disciplines.

Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano called the crash a “dark moment” for the state and declared Monday, June 2, 2025, a public holiday to mourn the victims.

The accident has prompted reactions across the country, with President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and the Nigerian Governors Forum among those offering condolences.

Meanwhile, the Federal Road Safety Corps has attributed the cause of the crash to speeding.