The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed that 20 people died in a multiple-vehicle crash on the Hawan Kibo-Jos route in Plateau State. The incident occurred on Friday afternoon and involved four vehicles, with preliminary findings pointing to brake failure and loss of control as likely causes.
Crash Details and Casualties
According to a statement released in Abuja on Friday, the crash happened at approximately 3:32 p.m., just after Sopp Water Falls. The Corps Public Education Officer, Osondu Ohaeri, said a total of 25 people were in the vehicles at the time, comprising 23 males and two females. All 20 deceased were male, while the remaining five—three males and two females—sustained injuries and were taken to Ryom General Hospital and Vom Christian Hospital for treatment. The bodies of the deceased were deposited at JUTH Mortuary.
The four vehicles involved were a Howo Sino truck with registration number AGL 525 YN, a Toyota Corolla with registration number AB 129 M, a Yankari Express Toyota Bummer bus, and a motorcycle whose registration details could not be established. FRSC rescue teams cleared debris from the scene and reopened the section of the highway to traffic.
Investigation and Official Response
Ohaeri noted that preliminary findings indicated brake failure and loss of control as the likely triggers, though a formal investigation has been ordered to confirm the cause. FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed expressed deep sadness over the loss of life and extended condolences to the families of the deceased. He also wished the five injured victims a full recovery.
Mohammed ordered an investigation team to examine the crash, with specific attention to the reported brake failure and its contribution to the collision. He called on commercial transporters and heavy-duty vehicle operators to keep their vehicles roadworthy, manage their speed, and drive responsibly. "The loss of 20 lives in a single crash represents 20 families suddenly plunged into grief. Behind every number is a name, a home, a family and a future," he said.
Call for Road Safety
The corps marshal urged all road users to treat safety as a personal responsibility, stating that no trip was important enough to risk lives. This incident follows a similar tragedy reported earlier on Hawan Kibo Road in Riyom Local Government Area, where a truck with faulty brakes ploughed into several vehicles, killing 20 people. The FRSC's ongoing investigation aims to determine the exact cause and prevent future occurrences.
