Gateway Games Tragedy: “How Our Driver Lost Control” – Survivor Speaks On Crash That Killed 22 Kano Athletes

A survivor of the tragic road accident that claimed the lives of 22 members of the Kano State sports contingent returning from the 2024 Gateway Games has recounted the terrifying moments leading up to the crash.

Dorothy Okwuzuluike, speaking from her hospital bed with her leg heavily bandaged and visibly swollen, described the fear and helplessness that overtook the athletes as the coaster bus they were traveling in lost control.

“All I can remember is that the driver suddenly lost control after what seemed like a brake failure,” she said in a video that has since gone viral. “I just grabbed the seat in front of me tightly. The next thing I knew, I was in the hospital.”

Recounting their journey, Dorothy revealed the extent of their ordeal:
“We spent two days on the road just to get to Abeokuta to represent Kano State at the festival. The return trip was equally grueling, taking another two days. The vehicle kept breaking down. We would stop, the driver and crew would fix it, and we’d move again—only for it to break down after a few kilometers. It was a horrifying experience.”

Ibrahim Umar Fagge, a senior official of the Kano State contingent, also commented on the tragedy.

“Throughout the festival, we released athletes as their events concluded. Most had already returned home. Only this last bus remained,” he explained.

Fagge, who had been in regular contact with the team, added: “The bus had an accident in Lokoja, but they managed to get it to Abuja where they spent the night. On Saturday morning, they resumed their journey to Kano. Around 10 a.m., I spoke with about six of them. A short while later, I received the devastating report: the bus had crashed at Chirowama.”

The incident has sparked outrage and calls for improved transportation safety measures for athletes and officials representing states at national events.