Her name is is Dorothy Okwyzuruike, a survivor of the ghastly auto crash that claimed the lives of 22 occupants of the coaster bus that was conveying the Kano State athletes returning from the recently concluded Gateway Games 2024.

While narrating the circumstances that led to the accident, she recalled that once the occupants of the coaster bus learnt it had failed break and that the driver had lost control, they were filled with fear and anxiety.

In a video seen by Nationwide Reports, Dorothy who spoke from an hospital bed with a bandaged leg, said: “All I can remember is like the driver lost control after the bus brake failed.

“The only thing I can remember was that I held onto the seat in front of me firmly. The next thing was that I found myself at the hospital.”

Continuing on their ordeal, the survivor recounted: “We spent two days on the road to go to Abeokuta to represent Kano state at the Festival.

“On our way back, we equally spent another two days on the road before the accident occurred.

“The vehicle was not sound, as it was always breaking down along the way. It would break down, we will stop, they will effect repair.

“After another few kilometres, it would break down again. They would carry out repair, and we would move again. It was a horrifying experience.”

A top official of the Kano State contingent, Ibrahim Umar Fagge also spoke on the incident.

He said: “During the festival, we were reducing our athletes as events were taking place. As your event end, you leave for home.

“So majority of our athletes had returned home before the final day. Only that bus that was remaining.”

He explained that he was always in touch with the contingent.

“We were together with them. The bus had accident in Lokoja, and they managed it to Abuja, where we spent the night.

“This (Saturday) morning, they started their journey from Abuja to Kano. At about 10 a.m., I spoke with about six of them. Then I got a report that our bus had accident at Chirowama.”

(more…)

Kano State Police command has said that its earlier ban on Durbar festivities in the state still stands and insisted that no such gathering would be allowed during the coming Sallah.

Nationwide Reports had earlier today reported a statement issued on behalf of Sanusi which directed all district heads to mobilise their horses and subjects for the annual durbar festival in Kano city.

See below, text of the statement issued today by the Police in Kano.

The Kano State Police Command in collaboration with other security agencies in the State congratulates Muslim faithful and all law-abiding residents of the State ahead of the 2025 Eid-El-Kabir Sallah festivities.

2. In an effort to ensure peaceful celebrations throughout the State, worshippers are enjoined to be law abiding and conduct themselves peacefully, as adequate pre-emptive measures have been taken to guarantee the peace and public safety across the state.

3. It would be recalled that in the wake of 2025 Eid-El-Fitr Sallah celebrations, the Command, in collaboration with all security agencies in the state, acting on credible intelligence, pronounced total ban on all forms of Durbar activities throughout the State, as part of collective commitment to sustaining the peace and security in the state.

4. The Command therefore, reiterates that the ban on all forms of Durbar in the state is still in force and will be strictly enforced during this 2025 Eid-El-Kabir celebrations, as the threats which have been put to serious checks are still potent.

5. This decision is made after consultations with relevant security stakeholders following intelligence reports indicating plans by recruited miscreants and their sponsors to use Durbar to undermine security and public order in the state, as recorded during Eid-El-Fitr Sallah.

6. Therefore, all worshippers are to adhere strictly to the following security measures throughout the period:
i. No horse/animal riding of any kind (Kilisa);
ii. No Car-racing, reckless and dangerous driving;
iii. No unlawful possession/ reckless display of firearms/weapons;
iv. No carrying of any unnecessary/dangerous objects that may trigger suspicion or apprehension.

7. Parents and guardians should therefore, caution their children/wards against being used by subversive elements as the Police and other security agencies are determined and ready to enforce the law to the later.

Members of the public are warned to desist from any act or conduct that may likely cause breach of the peace or breakdown of law and order.

8. As we celebrate this joyous occasion, let us pray for the State, the Nation and the State’s athletes that lost their lives on their way back from the National Sport Festival.

Happy Sallah in advance.