The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has attributed the fatal road crash that killed 21 athletes and officials from Kano State to excessive speed and driver fatigue.

The victims were returning from the 2024 National Sports Festival in Abeokuta when their coaster bus veered off the Kaduna-

Kano Expressway near Gadar Yankifi around 12:30 p.m. on Saturday. The bus, bearing the registration number KN 041 A17, was carrying 24 passengers — 23 men and one woman. Only three people, including the lone female passenger, survived with injuries and were taken to hospital.

According to FRSC spokesperson Olusegun Ogungbemide, the crash is believed to have resulted from a long overnight journey that left the driver fatigued and prone to speeding.

The deceased included athletes in wrestling and kickboxing, journalists, referees, sports officials, medical personnel, and drivers. Among them was football referee Imam Umar Fagge, younger brother to the acting chairman of the Kano State Sports Commission.

FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed expressed deep sorrow over the incident and urged transport operators to prioritize rest periods and speed regulations, particularly during night travel when visibility is poor.

President Bola Tinubu called the tragedy a “devastating blow to the nation,” urging improved safety standards in national transportation. “The best way to honour the victims is by taking concrete steps to prevent such occurrences,” he said.

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, where the sports festival was hosted, expressed heartbreak over the loss of young talents who had represented Kano with pride. Kano’s Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, described the incident as a deeply painful moment for the state.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also mourned the victims, calling them “dedicated and full of promise.”

In response, the National Sports Commission announced new safety measures, including mandatory insurance for athletes and mechanical certification for all official transport vehicles during sporting events.

Chairman Shehu Dikko and Director-General Bukola Olopade of the commission both expressed grief, acknowledging the tragedy as a heavy blow to Nigeria’s sports community.