21 athletes killed in Nigeria road crash
At least 21 athletes returning from Nigeria’s 22nd National Sports Festival were killed in a devastating bus crash on Saturday, with authorities pointing to fatigue and speeding as likely causes.
The incident occurred on a highway as the athletes were en route to Kano in northern Nigeria after participating in the tournament in Ogun state, nearly 1,000 kilometres to the south. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said no other vehicles were involved in the crash.
In a statement, the FRSC said the “crash might have occurred as a result of fatigue and excessive speed” following the athletes’ long overnight journey.
The athletes had taken part in the multi-sport event that included disciplines ranging from wheelchair basketball to traditional West African wrestling. President Bola Tinubu had hailed the festival as a celebration of “the unity, strength and resilience that define us as a nation.”
Nigeria’s highways are frequently the sites of fatal accidents, often due to poor road conditions, speeding, and a lack of adherence to traffic laws. In 2023 alone, the FRSC recorded 9,570 road crashes, resulting in 5,421 deaths.
Authorities are investigating the crash and have not yet released the identities of the victims.
