The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has joined a growing chorus of grief and condolences over the tragic death of 21 Kano State athletes in a fatal auto crash that occurred on Saturday at Gadar Yankifi, in the Garun Malam Local Government Area of Kano State.
The victims, part of the Kano State contingent returning from the recently concluded National Sports Festival in Ogun State, died when the vehicle they were traveling in crashed. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed that 21 lives were lost in the accident, while 11 others sustained various degrees of injuries.
In a statement issued on Saturday by its National Public Relations Officer, Samson Adeyemi, NANS described the incident as “a heartbreaking tragedy” that has cast a pall of sorrow across the entire student and youth community in Nigeria.
“This devastating incident has plunged the nation into mourning. The victims were not just athletes—they were vibrant, committed youths who represented the hope and potential of our future,” Adeyemi stated.
The student body extended its condolences to the Kano State Government, the families of the deceased, the Kano State Sports Council, and the wider sports community, emphasizing that the nation has lost not only promising talents but symbols of unity and national pride.
“We share in this immense grief and extend our deepest sympathies to the families, the people of Kano State, and the entire nation. The loss of these young stars is a national tragedy,” Adeyemi added.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and the Nigerian Governors Forum have also publicly expressed condolences, urging support for the affected families and promising steps to enhance road safety for traveling sports contingents and other road users.
Adeyemi stressed the urgent need for both federal and state governments to take proactive measures to prevent such occurrences. He called for a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the accident and advocated for improved safety protocols for state contingents traveling for national events.
“Lives like these should never be lost in vain. We urge the government to launch a full investigation into the accident and to ensure that future travels for our athletes are carried out with the highest safety standards in place,” he said.
As the nation continues to mourn, the tragedy serves as a painful reminder of the risks many young Nigerians face in their pursuit of excellence and service through sports.
