Olusegun Adeyemo
In a rather heartbreaking development, at least 22 members of the Kano State delegation to Ogun for the National Sports Festival have reportedly died after a fatal accident on their way home.
Reports say about 30 passengers were in the vehicle that plunged into a Bridge at Kura Local Government Area of Kano State after their games in Ogun State.
A survivor from the accident, Ado Salisu Gama who spoke to The Journal said some of his colleagues were confirmed dead on the spot, while others were rushed to the hospital.
Speaking from the hospital on Saturday morning, he said: “22 people have been confirmed dead at Dakatsalle Bridge, just before Kura. The driver too is dead. As I speak with you, one other member just died.”
Ado Salisu who was clearly in shock said others still at the hospital are receiving care.
Among the dead are athletes, journalists, medical personnel and administrators.
The Chairman of the Kano State Sports Commission, Umar Fagge, who had earlier confirmed the incident, said many other athletes sustained various degree of injuries following the fatal accident on Saturday.
He explained that the bus, carrying 30 athletes, fell from the bridge, leading to the death of the athletes.
Similarly, Ado Salisu, a former Vice President of SWAN, said victims were still being conveyed to Kura General Hospital.
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Kano Sector Command, Abdullahi Labaran, also confirmed the accident.
He however said that he could not confirm the number of deaths and injured persons.
Details are still emerging.
