- By Supratik Das
- Sun, 01 Jun 2025 08:20 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Nigeria Bus Crash: At least 21 athletes died in a tragic accident when a bus carrying them from a national sports tournament crashed along a highway in Nigeria on Saturday. The bus, carrying 35 passengers, mostly athletes and officials, lost control and fell from a bridge in Kura Local Government Area, state officials reported to local media. Umar Faggie, chairman of the state’s sports commission, told the local media over the phone that "the athletes were traveling in a Kano State Sports Commission bus when it flipped off the bridge." The victims were returning after taking part in the 22nd National Sports Festival that was being hosted by Ogun State, some 1,000 kilometres to the south. The trip lasted overnight, and authorities suspect the driver could have been tired.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) reported the bus crash in the afternoon, and no other vehicles were involved. Initial reports indicate that the lack of rest and overspeeding were the causes of the devastating accident. Survivors of the road mishap have been taken to a hospital for emergency medical treatment.
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Accident Rate, A Growing Concern In Nigeria
Road accidents continue to be a top safety issue in Nigeria. The road network in the country is usually poorly maintained, and accidents are commonly attributed to reckless driving, violations of traffic laws, as well as overloading of vehicles. Official statistics provided by the FRSC indicate that in 2024, there were 9,570 road accidents recorded across the country, claiming at least 5,421 lives.
The authorities have opened a thorough investigation into the accident on Saturday, while state governments and sports associations across Nigeria condemned the accident. The identities of the victims have not been made public, as their families are being contacted. “This is a national tragedy,” A spokesperson for the Nigerian Ministry of Sports said to the local media. “These athletes were the pride of their communities. We mourn with their families and pledge support during this difficult time,” he added. Former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar expressed "deep sorrow" for the athletes' deaths in a post on his X account, describing the victims as "the very best of our nation, dedicated, talented, and full of promise."