A devastating bus accident in Nigeria’s northern region has claimed the lives of 22 young athletes, according to local authorities. The crash occurred on Saturday evening when a bus carrying members of a school sports team plunged off a bridge into a river in Nigeria’s Bauchi state.
Officials confirmed that the victims were teenage athletes, part of a contingent returning from a regional sports competition. The group had been traveling from the city of Gombe to Yobe State when the driver reportedly lost control near a bridge in the town of Dindima.
Emergency responders and local volunteers were dispatched immediately to the scene. Rescue operations continued late into the night as authorities worked to retrieve the bodies and search for any possible survivors.
Bauchi State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Patrick Okoro, said the crash was likely caused by speeding and poor road conditions. “Preliminary investigations suggest that the driver may have been speeding and that the vehicle’s brakes failed before it veered off the road,” Okoro stated.
In addition to the 22 confirmed fatalities, several other passengers were injured and transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. Hospital officials described the condition of some of the injured as critical.
The state governor, Bala Mohammed, expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended condolences to the families of the deceased. In a statement, he called the loss of young lives “heartbreaking” and pledged full support for medical care and funeral arrangements.
“This is a painful tragedy that has robbed us of bright young talents,” Governor Mohammed said. “We will do everything in our power to support the affected families.”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu also issued a message of condolence, describing the incident as “a national tragedy.” He called for improved transport safety measures and strict enforcement of traffic laws to prevent future occurrences.
The Nigerian government has faced increasing scrutiny over road safety in recent years. Accidents are frequent on the country’s poorly maintained highways, often attributed to overloading, reckless driving, and lack of enforcement of traffic regulations.
The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development expressed grief over the accident and vowed to work closely with state authorities to ensure the victims’ families receive the necessary support. The ministry also emphasized the importance of reviewing travel logistics for school sports events.
The tragedy has sparked a renewed debate over the safety of transporting students and athletes over long distances. Education advocates and safety experts have urged the government to mandate regular inspections of school and chartered buses, especially those used for transporting children.
Meanwhile, communities in both Bauchi and Yobe states have begun mourning the young athletes, many of whom were praised as rising stars in regional sports competitions. Schools are planning memorials, and moments of silence were observed in multiple sporting events over the weekend.
As investigations continue, questions remain about the oversight and maintenance of the vehicles used for official school functions. Families of the victims have called for accountability and safer infrastructure to ensure such tragedies are never repeated.
The Bauchi State Police Command stated that it would fully cooperate with federal investigators and the FRSC to determine the full cause of the accident and recommend corrective actions.
This incident marks one of the deadliest road accidents in Nigeria in recent months and highlights the urgent need for comprehensive transportation reforms, especially involving school-related travel.
Source; Al Jazeera
