Survivor narrates ordeal in crash that killed 22 Kano athletes

One of the Kano State athletes at the recently concluded 22nd National Sports Festival, “Gateway 2025,” has expressed gratitude for the gift of life and a second chance.

Dorothy Okwuzuluike, a kickboxer, was among eight survivors of a ghastly auto crash that claimed the lives of 22 members of the Kano contingent.

The athletes had given their all during the 15-day event, securing various medals for Kano State.

However, tragedy struck as they were returning home. The Guardian learnt that the accident occurred early Saturday at Daka Tsalle town, approximately 50 kilometres from Kano, after the group had travelled overnight from Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Recounting her experience from her hospital bed at Murtala Mohammed Specialists Hospital, Kano, Okwuzuluike said the journey turned tragic unexpectedly. “I was part of those that represented Kano State at the sports festival. As we were coming back from Ogun State, we had a stopover twice due to technical issues. First, we stopped at Lokoja, and later in Abuja,” she said. “The bus was fixed, and we resumed our journey. All I remember is that the bus suddenly left the road. That was the last thing I remembered before finding myself in the hospital.”