Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has expressed profound grief over the tragic death of 22 Kano State athletes who lost their lives in a road accident on Saturday.

The fatal accident occurred in Dakatsalle town, a few kilometres from Kabo city, while the athletes were returning from the recently concluded National Sports Festival held in Ogun State.

In a message posted on his official Facebook page on Saturday, Senator Jibrin extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, the Kano State Government, the sports community, and the entire people of Kano State.

"Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un. I just received the sad news of the accident involving members of the Kano State contingent returning from the just-concluded National Sports Festival (NSF) in Ogun State," the Deputy Senate President wrote.

"May Allah SWT grant all those who lost their lives Jannatul Firdaus and quicken the recovery of the injured," he added.

Senator Jibrin further stated, "I extend my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, the Kano State Government, the sports community and the entire people of the state. Allah ya jikan su da rahama."

The tragic incident has sent shockwaves through Nigeria's sporting community, with the Nigerian Governors' Forum reportedly describing it as "not just a loss to Kano but the entire sports community."

This devastating accident marks one of the most tragic incidents in Nigerian sports in recent years, cutting short the lives of young athletes who had just represented their state at the national level.