- Odibo Victory
No fewer than 20 people have been killed in a multiple road traffic crash involving four vehicles at Hawan Kibo community along the Hawan Kibo-Jos route in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Friday by its Corps Public Education Officer, Osondu Ohaeri, in Abuja.
Ohaeri said the crash occurred at about 3:32 p.m. after Sopp Water Falls, with brake failure and loss of control identified as the likely causes.
The vehicles involved were a Howo Sino truck with registration number AGL 525 YN, a Toyota Corolla with registration number AB 129 M, a Toyota Hummer bus operated by Yankari Express and a motorcycle whose registration particulars were unavailable.
The FRSC said 25 people were involved in the crash, comprising 23 males and two females.
Twenty male adults died, while five others, comprising three males and two females, sustained injuries.
The FRSC Sector Commander in Plateau, Adelaja Ogungbemi, said the crash occurred after the Howo truck suffered brake failure and rammed into the Yankari Express bus, the Toyota Corolla and the motorcycle.
Ogungbemi said 18 of those who died were passengers in the Yankari Express bus travelling to Abuja, while the other two victims were on the motorcycle.
The injured victims were evacuated to Riyom General Hospital and Vom Christian Hospital, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the mortuary of Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH).
FRSC rescue personnel also cleared the obstruction caused by the crash and restored traffic on the affected section of the highway.
Reacting to the incident, FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, expressed sadness over the loss of lives and extended his condolences to the families, friends and associates of the deceased.
He also wished the injured victims a speedy recovery and directed the crash investigation team to carry out a thorough investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, particularly the reported brake failure and loss of control.
Mohammed urged motorists, especially commercial and heavy-duty vehicle operators, to prioritise roadworthiness, regular vehicle maintenance, speed management and responsible driving.
He stressed that the loss of 20 lives in a single crash represented 20 families suddenly plunged into grief, noting that each victim was a person with a name, a home, a family and a future.
The Corps Marshal therefore called on all road users to take personal responsibility for their safety, stressing that no journey was important enough to end in death.
Ogungbemi also advised motorists to avoid speeding and ensure regular maintenance of their vehicles to prevent avoidable crashes.
He urged drivers to inspect their vehicles before embarking on journeys, noting that proper checks could help identify mechanical faults before they become dangerous.
“Vehicle inspection before taking off is very important. Motorists should make vehicle maintenance a priority and avoid speeding on highways,” he said.
The sector commander commiserated with the families of the victims and urged motorists to exercise greater caution, particularly when travelling with passengers.
