Auto crash: Last moments of Kano 22

Some of the survivors of Saturday’s auto crash that claimed the lives of 22 Kano State’s contingents returning from the just-concluded National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State, have recounted the moments before the accident.

The crash, which occurred around 12:30pm near the Chiromawa Bridge in Bebeji Local Government Area along the Kano–Kaduna Expressway, involved a Coaster bus belonging to the Kano State Government, marked KN 041 A17.

The team, comprising athletes and officials, including coaches, assistant coaches, a journalist and medical personnel as well as drivers and mechanics, were returning to their home state with six Gold, 13 Silver and 10 Bronze medals.

The incident happened in Dakatsalle town, about 50km from Kano, as the delegation was approaching the final stretch of their journey home.

The victims included Abdurrahman Muhammed, driver; Abdul’aziz Auwalu, organising secretary, Judo Association, Kano; Nasiru Adam, driver; Ibrahim Salisu, Public Relations Officer, Kano State Sports Commission; Bashir Bello, food services unit; Imamumalik Umar, team doctor; Bilal Salisu (Jegus Photography); Ashiru Shu’aibu, mechanic; Abdussamad Rabiu, doctor; Abubakar Isma’il Yakubu, doctor; Bello Muhammed, wrestling organising secretary and Usaini Garba, kick boxer.

Others were Isah Usman Aliyu and Isah Ibrahim, kick boxers; Abdullahi Saleh Trigger, kick boxer coach; Nasiru Abdullahi, organising secretary; Aminu Muhammad, assistant coach; Shehu Saidu, boxing coach; Usman Muhammad, assistant boxing coach; Sani Yusuf, kick boxer; Muhammad Aminu (Alaja), assistant coach and Hamal Dahiru, a staff member of the commission.

The survivors, who spoke to Daily Trust, spoke about what happened before their vehicle veered off the road and tumbled down the bridge.

Aminu Idris Abdullahi, the captain of the kickboxing team, said: “We were just chatting when everything changed. It happened in an instant.”

A female athlete, Dorathy Okwuzuluike, remembered gripping the seat tightly before “everything went blank.”

“The only thing I could do was to hold the chair very well. I woke up in the hospital,” she narrated.

Another survivor, Khatimu Hussaini, said she could not really explain what happened.

She recounted: “We suddenly found ourselves going down under the bridge. I saw a woman about to be crushed by the vehicle, and I quickly pulled her back. I also pulled another person. But at that point, I just lay down and started crying in pain.”

The chairman of the Kano Sports Commission, Umar Farouk, explained that the commission had reduced the number of athletes as the games progressed.

“Only this last group remained. They earlier had mechanical issues in Lokoja and later Abuja. On Saturday morning, I spoke with some of them. An hour later, I received the tragic call,” he said.

Bashir Abubakar, brother of Nazifi Abubakar, one of the injured, stated: “We were told the vehicle crashed off the bridge. We searched hospitals until we found him. He is now recuperating.”

Mahmud Umar Yakubu, brother to the late Imamumalik Umar, said, “God took him. He was a good boy, obedient and kind.”

Aisha Salisu Jegus, an elder sister to Bilal Salisu Jegus, described her brother as a very respectful sibling and a confidant.

“The last time I saw him physically was five weeks ago when they started preparations for the trip, but we occasionally spoke on the phone even when they were in Ogun State.

“He was my confidant, a trustworthy and reliable person whom you could always find around when in need.

“We will really miss him, but God loves him more. We shall continue to pray for him because when destiny comes, no one can escape it,” she said.

Gov Yusuf declares holiday for mourning, N1m for victims’ families each

Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf yesterday declared Monday (today) as a public holiday to sympathise with the victims’ families.

The state government also announced a donation of N1 million and food items to each bereaved family.

The governor’s spokesman, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, in a statement, said: “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.

“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 governor said.

Yusuf described the tragedy as a dark moment for the entire state and called for calm and unity during the difficult period.

He assured that all necessary efforts were being made to support the victims and their families.

“While His Excellency is away in Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Hajj Operation, he directed that Monday, 2nd June 2025, be declared as a public holiday for the good people of Kano to pray and sympathise with the families of the victims.

“The state also calls on the Imams and all Muslims within and outside Kano to pray for the departed souls and their respective families to bear the loss,” the statement added.

The State Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, had on Saturday visited Nasarawa Specialist Hospital where the deceased were deposited.

He also visited the survivors at Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital.

In a show of solidarity, Ogun State Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, visited Kano yesterday to deliver condolences from Governor Dapo Abiodun.

“This is not just a loss for Kano, but for Nigeria. The athletes were ambassadors of unity and youth spirit.

“Our prayer is that this never happens again. May Allah grant them Al-Jannah and comfort their loved ones,” she said.