Kano athletes and officials die in road crash while returning from just-concluded National Sports Festival

Several lives have reportedly been lost in a tragic auto crash involving members of the Kano State contingent returning from the recently concluded National Sports Festival (NSF) held in Ogun State.

The fatal accident occurred on Saturday, May 31, in Dakatsalle town, approximately 50 kilometres from Kano, as the team was nearing the end of their journey. Early reports indicate that the victims include athletes, a journalist, medical personnel, and sports administrators.

While the exact cause of the crash remains unclear, emergency responders were swiftly deployed to the scene. Survivors with varying degrees of injuries were transported to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention.

Chairman of the Kano chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Zahraddeen Saleh, confirmed the incident. Among the deceased, he identified the Public Relations Officer of the Kano Sports Commission and a photojournalist affiliated with Express Radio, an online news platform.

Authorities are expected to provide further updates as investigations into the cause of the crash continue.