CAA U18/U20 Championship: Tunisian athletes moved to Lekki, Lagos state for advanced care after Abeokuta accident
Ogun state Governor, Abiodun’s swift action saves lives
Five Tunisian athletes—one male and four female—have been transferred to a specialized medical facility in Lekki, Lagos, following a road traffic accident that occurred on Saturday night, July 19, during the ongoing CAA U18/U20 African Athletics Championships in Abeokuta.
The athletes were initially stabilized at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, before being moved for further and more advanced treatment, a decision that reflects the serious nature of their injuries and the need for specialist care.
The relocation was confirmed via a statement from the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Media Committee, circulated through WhatsApp platforms.
The accident occurred while the Tunisian contingent was traveling from the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Kuto, Abeokuta to the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Mowe, a journey of approximately 65 to 70 kilometers along the Abeokuta–Sagamu–Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.
The trip, undertaken at night, raised concerns about inter-city travel without adequate security escort, especially on routes known to be partially unsecured.
By a stroke of fate, Governor Dapo Abiodun, who was commuting nearby, arrived at the scene shortly after the incident and provided first-response assistance, coordinating emergency services and ensuring swift evacuation to FMC Abeokuta.
He later joined the Director General of the National Sports Commission in personally overseeing the athletes’ care.
Lekki is home to some of Nigeria’s top-tier private hospitals, including Evercare Hospital and Etta-Atlantic Memorial Hospital, both known for their world-class facilities and international-standard care.
The decision to move the athletes there underscores the commitment to their full recovery and the seriousness of the injuries sustained, even though all five are said to be responding positively to treatment.
