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21 Athletes Killed in Nigeria Highway Crash
A tragic bus accident on a Nigerian highway claimed the lives of 21 athletes on Saturday, as they returned from a national sports tournament. Authorities suspect the crash was caused by driver fatigue and excessive speed following an overnight journey.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) reported that the crash, which occurred in the afternoon and involved no other vehicles, likely stemmed from exhaustion and speeding after a long-distance trip of nearly 1,000 kilometres (620 miles).
The victims were traveling back to Kano, in northern Nigeria, from the 22nd National Sports Festival held in Ogun State, in the country's south. The festival featured a wide range of events, including wheelchair basketball and traditional West African wrestling.
President Bola Tinubu had recently praised the tournament, calling it a reflection of "the unity, strength, and resilience that define us as a nation."
Road accidents are a persistent issue in Nigeria, often attributed to poor infrastructure, speeding, and lack of adherence to traffic regulations. According to FRSC data, the country recorded 9,570 road accidents and 5,421 fatalities in 2024 alone.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the crash and called for stricter safety measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.