At least 20 athletes from Kano State have been confirmed dead following a road accident.
The incident occurred at the Dakatsalle Bridge, where a bus carrying members of a Kano State contingent of athletes reportedly lost control and plunged into the river. The vehicle was said to be carrying 30 passengers, mostly young athletes and officials, when the crash happened.
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Umar Bala Fagge, the Chairman of the Kano State Sports Commission, who confirmed the incident, stated that the athletes were returning from the National Sports Festival held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
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“As I am speaking to you now, we have counted 19 bodies, the bus, which was carrying 30 persons, including athletes and officials, fell off the bridge,” he recounted.
“Rescue efforts are ongoing, and the injured have been taken to the Kura General Hospital for medical treatment.”
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Ado Salisu, a former Vice-President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), also confirmed the accident and the number of casualties. According to him, among the deceased is the son of Salisu Jegu, a sports journalist with Express Radio.
Authorities are expected to begin further investigation into the cause of the crash.