A tragic accident has claimed the lives of at least 22 members of the Kano State delegation returning from the 22nd National Sports Festival held in Ogun State.
The fatal crash occurred on Friday night at the Dakatsalle Bridge in Kura Local Government Area of Kano State. A vehicle transporting 35 individuals—comprising athletes, journalists, medical staff, and sports officials—plunged off the bridge as the team neared its final destination.
One of the survivors, Ado Salisu Gama, speaking from the Kura General Hospital, described the harrowing scene.
“Twenty-two people have been confirmed dead at Dakatsalle Bridge, just before Kura. The driver is also dead. As I speak to you, one more member has just died,” he told Newsmen Nigeria on Saturday morning.
Gama added that the injured are being treated at the hospital, where distraught family members and friends have gathered in hopes of receiving positive updates.
The Kano State team had just returned from the festival, where they earned 29 medals—a proud achievement now overshadowed by devastating loss.
Those feared dead include athletes, members of the press, medical personnel, and senior team officials.
As of the time of reporting, neither the Kano State Government nor the festival organisers had released an official statement. Rescue and recovery operations remain ongoing.
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