The Kano State Government has declared Monday, June 2, 2025, as a work-free day to mourn the death of the 22 athletes and officials who lost their lives in a road accident while returning from the just-concluded National Sports Festival held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Governor Abba Yusuf, who announced this, urged the people of Kano to unite in grief and prayer.
In a statement released by his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature, the governor, who is currently in Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage, described the incident as “a dark moment” in the history of the state.
“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,” the governor was quoted as saying.
He extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and assured them that all necessary support would be provided to them.
“On behalf of the government and the good people of Kano State, we extend our heartfelt condolences over the unfortunate incident that occurred along the Kano–Zaria expressway,” he stated.
The victims, mostly youths, were part of the state’s contingent for the National Sports Festival.
Many others were injured in the crash and are receiving treatment in various hospitals.
Governor Yusuf urged religious leaders across the state and beyond to dedicate prayers to the victims and their families.
Ogun Govt Visits Kano
In a show of solidarity, a high-powered delegation from Ogun State, led by the Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, arrived in Kano on Monday morning to commiserate with the state government and the grieving families.
“We know that the governor is out of the state on Hajj but we felt we had to be here to show our support to him, the government, and the people of Kano State in these trying times,” the statement quoted Salako-Oyedele as saying.
She conveyed the condolences of Governor Dapo Abiodun and announced a donation of ₦1 million to each of the families of the victims as initial support.
“This is a devastating loss for Kano State, for the athletics community, and especially for the families and friends of the individuals who were affected by this tragic incident. Our prayer is that this kind of thing will never happen again and that Allah accepts the return of the deceased to Him, forgive their shortcomings, and grant them Aljanat Firdaus,” she added.
The Ogun delegation included the Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi; Commissioner for Sports Development, Wasiu Isiaka; Executive Secretary of the Gateway Games LOC, Kweku Tandoh, and other officials and athletes.
They were received at the Government House in Kano by the Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo, who thanked the Ogun State Government for the kind gesture and solidarity.
“We are not in doubt about Governor Abiodun’s concern. He called to commiserate with the government and people of Kano State shortly after the incident. This visit and the support extended today reaffirm that concern,” said Gwarzo.
The incident, which occurred at about 12:30 pm last Saturday at Gadar Yankifi in the Garun Malam Local Government Area, involved a Toyota Coaster Bus with registration number KN041 A17.
One of the survivors of the crash, Ado Salisu, had confirmed to journalists that the accident happened just hours before they were expected to arrive in Kano.
According to a press statement issued by the Federal Road Safety Corps, Kano Sector Command, the crash involved 32 occupants—31 male adults and one female adult.
Of these, 22 individuals lost their lives at the scene, while the remaining passengers sustained various degrees of injuries.
