Latest news with #AbbaKabirYusuf
News24
2 days ago
- Health
- News24
Nigeria: Over 20 athletes killed in bus crash after festival
At least 21 athletes were killed on Saturday after the bus they were travelling on drove off a bridge in the northern Nigerian state of Kano, the state governor said. The athletes were returning home from the National Sports Festival that they had been participating in for the previous week in Ogun state, in the country's southwest. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf said that the driver of the bus appeared to lose control while crossing over the Chiromawa Bridge on the Kano-Zaria expressway. Several other passengers were injured in the crash. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said the accident may have been the result of 'fatigue and excessive speed' following a long overnight journey. Footage after the accident showed a mangled bus underneath a bridge. Athletes returning from Nigeria's National Sports Festival More than 30 passengers were on board at the time. The survivors were taken to a local hospital for treatment. Monday has been declared a day of mourning in Kano. The deputy governor, Aminu Gwarzu, said that the families of the victims would be given 1 million naira (around $630) as well as food supplies. The athletes had been representing their state in the festival which takes place every two years, allowing competitors from Nigeria's 35 states to take part in multi-sports events, including wheelchair basketball and traditional west African wrestling. President Bola Tinubu said of the festival that it represented 'the unity, strength and resilience that define us as a nation'. Poor road conditions and a casual enforcement of traffic rules make road accidents a common occurrence in Nigeria. The FRSC recorded 9 570 road accidents and 5 421 deaths in 2024.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Athletes, coaches and officials among 22 killed in road accident in northern Nigeria
Athletes, coaches and officials are among 22 people killed in a road accident in northern Nigeria as they returned from the country's National Sports Festival on Saturday, local authorities have said. Others were left 'seriously injured' by the accident, according to a statement issued by Kano's government office. The majority of the victims were young, it added. '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,' Abba Kabir Yusuf, governor of Kano State, said in the statement. '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,' he continued. The accident was a 'lone road crash that might have occurred as a result of fatigue and excessive speed,' Nigeria's Federal Road Safety Corps said in a statement. The crash occurred at 12:30 a.m. local time Saturday (7:30 p.m. Friday ET), the statement said. The athletes killed in the crash were returning home after 'representing their state with distinction,' Nigeria's National Sports Commission (NSC) said in a statement posted to Instagram. The commission said it was 'deeply heartbroken' by the 'tragic road accident.' The victims 'carried the hope of a brighter future for our nation through their passion and commitment to excellence in sports,' NSC chairperson Mallam Dikko said. 'It is our duty to ensure such heroes are never forgotten.' Sports clubs including Kano Pillars, Kano's local soccer team, and the Nigeria Tennis Federation have also posted their condolences online. Nigeria's 22nd National Sports Festival was held in Ogun State in the southwest of the country, according to the NSC. After 11 days of events, the competition held its closing ceremony on Thursday, the NSC said. Monday will be a day of mourning for 'the good people of Kano to pray and sympathize with the families of the victims,' its governor announced.
CNN
3 days ago
- General
- CNN
Athletes, coaches and officials among 22 killed in road accident in northern Nigeria
Athletes, coaches and officials are among 22 people killed in a road accident in northern Nigeria as they returned from the country's National Sports Festival on Saturday, local authorities have said. Others were left 'seriously injured' by the accident, according to a statement issued by Kano's government office. The majority of the victims were young, it added. '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,' Abba Kabir Yusuf, governor of Kano State, said in the statement. '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,' he continued. The accident was a 'lone road crash that might have occurred as a result of fatigue and excessive speed,' Nigeria's Federal Road Safety Corps said in a statement. The crash occurred at 12:30 a.m. local time Saturday (7:30 p.m. Friday ET), the statement said. The athletes killed in the crash were returning home after 'representing their state with distinction,' Nigeria's National Sports Commission (NSC) said in a statement posted to Instagram. The commission said it was 'deeply heartbroken' by the 'tragic road accident.' The victims 'carried the hope of a brighter future for our nation through their passion and commitment to excellence in sports,' NSC chairperson Mallam Dikko said. 'It is our duty to ensure such heroes are never forgotten.' Sports clubs including Kano Pillars, Kano's local soccer team, and the Nigeria Tennis Federation have also posted their condolences online. Nigeria's 22nd National Sports Festival was held in Ogun State in the southwest of the country, according to the NSC. After 11 days of events, the competition held its closing ceremony on Thursday, the NSC said. Monday will be a day of mourning for 'the good people of Kano to pray and sympathize with the families of the victims,' its governor announced.
CNN
3 days ago
- General
- CNN
Athletes, coaches and officials among 22 killed in road accident in northern Nigeria
Athletes, coaches and officials are among 22 people killed in a road accident in northern Nigeria as they returned from the country's National Sports Festival on Saturday, local authorities have said. Others were left 'seriously injured' by the accident, according to a statement issued by Kano's government office. The majority of the victims were young, it added. '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,' Abba Kabir Yusuf, governor of Kano State, said in the statement. '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,' he continued. The accident was a 'lone road crash that might have occurred as a result of fatigue and excessive speed,' Nigeria's Federal Road Safety Corps said in a statement. The crash occurred at 12:30 a.m. local time Saturday (7:30 p.m. Friday ET), the statement said. The athletes killed in the crash were returning home after 'representing their state with distinction,' Nigeria's National Sports Commission (NSC) said in a statement posted to Instagram. The commission said it was 'deeply heartbroken' by the 'tragic road accident.' The victims 'carried the hope of a brighter future for our nation through their passion and commitment to excellence in sports,' NSC chairperson Mallam Dikko said. 'It is our duty to ensure such heroes are never forgotten.' Sports clubs including Kano Pillars, Kano's local soccer team, and the Nigeria Tennis Federation have also posted their condolences online. Nigeria's 22nd National Sports Festival was held in Ogun State in the southwest of the country, according to the NSC. After 11 days of events, the competition held its closing ceremony on Thursday, the NSC said. Monday will be a day of mourning for 'the good people of Kano to pray and sympathize with the families of the victims,' its governor announced.
Toronto Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Road accident in northern Nigeria kills 22 athletes returning from a sports festival
Published Jun 01, 2025 • 1 minute read An ambulance rushes to the scene of an accident. Photo by File Photo / Getty Images ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — A bus veered off a bridge in Nigeria's northern state of Kano, killing at least 22 athletes returning home from a sports festival and leaving several other passengers injured, the state's governor said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The cause of the accident, which happened on Saturday, was not immediately known. The athletes had taken part in the Nigerian National Sports Festival in the southern state of Ogun over the last week. The driver appeared to lose control of the bus and the vehicle, with over 30 passengers, plunged off the Chiromawa Bridge on the Kano-Zaria expressway, according to Abba Kabir Yusuf, the governor of Kano. Survivors of the crash were taken to a local hospital for treatment. Yusuf said the athletes, who were accompanied by their coaches and sporting officials, were representing Kano at the sports festival, a major multi-sports event that bringing together athletes from the country's 35 states every two years. The governor declared Monday a day of mourning for the state. The families of the victims are to receive 1 million naira (about $630) and food supplies as support, Kano's deputy governor, Aminu Gwarzo, said. Road accidents are frequent in Africa's most populous country, in part due to poor road conditions and lax enforcement of traffic laws. In March, at least six people died near Nigeria's capital of Abuja after a trailer crashed into parked vehicles and burst into flames. Sports Sunshine Girls Sunshine Girls Relationships Columnists
