A multi-vehicle collision along the Hawan Kibo–Jos route in Plateau State has claimed the lives of 20 passengers and left five others with varying degrees of injuries afer the accident.
As gathered, the deceased passengers were all males and were confirmed dead at the scene by emergency response team in the state.
Thr Guild learnt that the crash occurred after one of the vehicle suffered brake failure, loss control and skied off the road.
Eyewitnesses narrated on Saturday that the tragedy occurred at approximately 3:32 p.m. yesterday around the the popular Sopp Water Falls landmark in Riyom Local Government Area.
According to a statement released in Abuja by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Public Education Officer, Osondu Ohaeri, 25 individuals—23 adult males and two adult females—were caught in the violent pileup, which involved four separate vehicles: a Howo Sino heavy-duty truck with number plate AGL 525 YN), a Toyota Corolla (number plate AB 129 M, a Toyota Bumper commuter bus operated by Yankari Express, and a commercial motorcycle whose registration details could not be immediately retrieved.
Rescue operations mounted by FRSC personnel successfully extracted the five survivors—three males and two females—who were rushed to nearby medical facilities.
The injured are currently receiving emergency treatment at the Riyom General Hospital and Vom Christian Hospital, while the remains of the deceased have been deposited at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) Mortuary.
To reduce travel time on the road, members of the emergency teams cleared the debris and wreckage, reopening the affected stretch of the highway to traffic.
Reacting to the incident, FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, expressed deep grief over the sheer scale of the casualty count and extended heart-felt condolences to the bereaved families.
“The loss of 20 lives in a single crash represents 20 families suddenly plunged into grief,” Mohammed said. “Behind every number is a name, a home, a family, and a future.”
Mohammed directed a specialized crash investigation unit to conduct a comprehensive probe into the incident to establish the precise sequence of events leading to the brake failure.
He issued a stern warning to commercial and heavy-duty fleet drivers across the nation, urging them to prioritize routine vehicular maintenance, strict speed enforcement, and cautious driving habits.
“No journey is so urgent that it should end in death,” the Corps Marshal added, pleading with motorists to take personal responsibility on the highways.