Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has declared Monday, June 2, 2025, a public holiday to mourn the loss of 22 athletes, coaches, and officials who died in a devastating road accident while returning from the recently concluded National Sports Festival in Ogun State.
The tragic crash occurred on Saturday, May 31, along the Kano–Zaria expressway when the bus carrying the Kano contingent veered off the Chiromawa Bridge. The accident claimed 22 lives and left several others injured. The victims were part of Kano’s official delegation to the festival, a biennial multi-sport event that brings together athletes from across Nigeria.
Governor Yusuf, currently on pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, described the incident as a “dark moment” for Kano State and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of some of the state’s most promising young talents. In a statement signed by his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the governor extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and the entire sports community, urging residents to use the public holiday to pray and support the grieving families.
The Kano State government has pledged financial support of N1 million to each family affected by the tragedy and promised to provide food and relief items to assist with burial arrangements. The government also assured that injured survivors would receive proper medical care and ongoing support.
Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, who visited the hospital where the victims’ bodies were taken, described the accident as a painful tragedy and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the bereaved families during this difficult time.
The tragedy has drawn condolences from across Nigeria, including Katsina State Governor Mallam Dikko Radda, who described the loss as a devastating blow to the nation’s sporting community and prayed for comfort for the families.
