Kano declares public holiday to mourn 22 athletes killed in crash

Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has declared today a public holiday in honour of the 22 members of the state contingent who died in an auto crash on Saturday.

The victims, mostly in their youthful age, were returning from the National Sports Festival when the crash occurred on the Kano-Zaria expressway.

In a statement on Sunday by the governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi DawakinTofa, the state urged residents of the state to use the public holiday to pray and sympathise with the families of the victims.

The statement read, “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.

“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.”

Yusuf called for “calm and unity during this difficult period,” as he assured that necessary efforts were being made to support the victims and their families.

In his intervention, the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun on Sunday, sent a delegation to Kano State to commiserate with the government and people of the state over the incident.

The delegation, according to a statement on Sunday, was led by the Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele.

Also on the delegation were the Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi; Commissioner for Sports Development, Wasiu Isiaka; and the Executive Secretary of the Local Organising Committee for the Gateway Games, Dr Kweku Tandoh.

The delegation conveyed Gov Abiodun’s donation of N1m each to the families of the victims as initial support over the loss of their loved ones.

The delegation, which arrived in Kano around 9 am, was received by officials of the Kano State Government, led by the Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo.

The Ogun Deputy Governor conveyed Gov. Abiodun’s sense of loss over the incident.

She said: “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 the Governor, the Government, and the people of Kano State in these trying times.

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. We also pray for the speedy recovery of the other people who are in the hospital at this time, who rushed to the aid of the victims.

“I know we have several of the victims here, and I know that the police, FRSC, and many organizations also rushed to their aid, and I want to thank them all. Our prayer is that this kind of thing will never happen again and that Allah accepts the return of the deceased to Him, forgives their shortcomings, and grants them Aljanat Firdaus. We also pray that their families and loved ones left behind have the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”

Responding, the Kano Deputy Governor expressed the State Government’s appreciation for the visit, saying that the government was in no doubt about Governor Abiodun’s concern.

He disclosed that Governor Abiodun had called to commiserate with the government and people of Kano State over the incident on Saturday.

Meanwhile, more Nigerians have continued to express their condolences.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari described both the loss of lives from flash floods and the Kano road accident as “painful and devastating.”

In a message on Sunday by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu, the former Nigerian leader extended his condolences to the bereaved families, as well as the state governments of Niger and Kano, urging them to remain strong in the face of the tragedies.

My heart bleeds over the loss of lives due to the floods in Niger State and the road accident in Kano State,” Buhari said. “The deaths are painful and devastating. These tragic incidents, happening in quick succession, have left me shocked and deeply saddened, as they have many others across the country and even abroad.”

Condolences to the families and friends of all those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon,” he added.

On his part, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, in the statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, described the incident as a “devastating loss” and a sobering reminder of the need to prioritise the safety and welfare of Nigerian youths.

“It is with profound sadness that I received the news of the tragic death of 22 members of the Kano State contingent that participated in the National Sports Festival in Ogun State.

“This devastating loss is a painful reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of prioritizing the safety and well-being of our citizens, particularly our youth. We stand in solidarity with the families of the deceased and pray for their swift healing and comfort during this difficult time”, he said.

Akpabio further prayed for the souls of the departed to rest in peace, adding that their memories should inspire a collective commitment to a safer Nigeria.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, prayed for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives, and quick recovery for the injured.

The statement read in part, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased athletes and the Kano State Government at this moment of grief.

“This is one unfortunate incident. May Allah give their families the fortitude to bear these irreparable losses,” the Speaker said, urging the relevant authorities and the Kano State Government to take measures to prevent reoccurrence.

He also called for the immortalisation of the deceased athletes, saying they paid the supreme price in the line of duty.

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, in a post on his office’s Facebook page, condoled the families of those who lost their lives, the Kano State Government, the sports community and the entire people of the state.

Also, the Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Yahaya, through the Director-General of Press Affairs, Gombe Government House Ismaila Misilli, described the incident as heartbreaking and deeply painful.

He declared that the entire Northern region was in grief over the loss of “young and promising athletes who had gone to represent their state and showcase their talents on a national stage.”

“These young athletes were more than representatives of Kano State; they were shining symbols of hope and promise for our region and the entire nation.

Their exploits at the sports festival made us proud, and their untimely deaths are a painful reminder of life’s fragility,” he said.

Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, through his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Mohammed, described the incident as a devastating blow to Nigeria’s sporting community and a painful loss that has left the entire nation in mourning.

The statement read, “The news of this tragic accident has deeply saddened us all. These young athletes represented the hopes and dreams of their families, communities, Kano State and Nigeria. Their untimely demise cuts short promising futures and leaves an irreplaceable void in our hearts.

“The Governor, on behalf of the Government and the people of Katsina State, extends sincere sympathies to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, the families of the deceased athletes, and the entire Kano State sporting fraternity during this difficult period.

“Governor Radda offers special prayers for the departed souls, asking Almighty Allah to forgive their shortcomings and grant them Aljannatul Firdaus. He equally prays for Allah’s comfort and strength for the bereaved families.”

Meanwhile, the Kogi State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria has urged the Kano state government to immortalise the 21 Kano State athletes and officials who lost their lives in Saturday’s accident.

In a statement on Sunday, the acting SWAN Secretary in Kogi State, Olatunde Odimayo, described the incident as tragic and painful

The statement read, “We are traumatised by this tragic incident. Information reaching us indicates that these people were young, vibrant, and promising individuals who were determined to make Kano State proud both nationally and internationally.

“Our hearts also go out to their families in this trying period. SWAN Kogi is using this medium to call on the Kano State Government to, as a matter of urgency, immortalize these fallen heroes who sacrificed their lives for the interest of the state.”