Nigeria's roads have been struck by tragedy again, with at least 19 people confirmed dead in two separate, devastating accidents involving trailers in Plateau and Gombe states within a 24-hour period. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has pointed to excessive speed and loss of control as the primary causes, issuing renewed warnings to drivers during the busy festive travel season.
Gombe State Collision Claims Nine Lives
The first of the fatal incidents occurred in Gombe State on Monday, December 23, 2024. According to the FRSC Sector Commander in the state, Mr. Samson Kaura, the crash happened at approximately 8:30 a.m. on the Kaltungo Cham road, specifically in the Kaluwa community within Kaltungo Local Government Area.
The accident involved a collision between a trailer and a Sharon bus. Kaura provided a detailed account, stating, "The trailer was descending a slope at high speed when the driver lost control and rammed into the Sharon bus from behind, causing it to somersault."
Eighteen persons were involved in the crash. The grim outcome saw nine victims lose their lives, while five sustained injuries and four others escaped unharmed. Those injured were rushed to the General Hospital in Kaltungo for treatment, and the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the hospital's mortuary.
Plateau State Multi-Vehicle Crash Leaves Ten Dead
Just hours later, in the early hours of Tuesday, December 24, another catastrophic accident was recorded in Plateau State. This crash took place along the Jos Bauchi Road in Jos North Local Government Area, shortly after a military checkpoint at about 12:12 a.m.
Mr. Peter Y. Longsan, the Public Education Officer for the FRSC in Plateau State, confirmed the incident. He reported that the crash involved a total of four vehicles: two trailers and two mini buses (Ford Galaxy).
A joint rescue operation was launched for the 19 persons involved (17 males and 2 females). Tragically, 10 adult males died on the spot. The injured were evacuated to multiple medical facilities, including the General Hospital in Miango, the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), and the Plateau State Specialist Hospital.
Longsan stated that eight corpses were taken to the morgues of the Plateau State Specialist Hospital and Bingham University Teaching Hospital. Two bodies were released to officials of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) for burial.
Authorities Issue Stern Warnings Amid Recurring Tragedies
Preliminary investigations by the FRSC in both states uniformly identified excessive speed and reckless driving as the major factors behind the crashes. The Plateau command specifically advised commuters to avoid night travel and shun dangerous driving practices.
Gombe's Sector Commander, Samson Kaura, used the occasion to caution motorists against speeding, particularly on roads with slopes and difficult terrain. He also urged drivers to conduct thorough vehicle checks before embarking on journeys, emphasizing that traffic volume is especially high during the yuletide season.
These latest accidents have deepened public concern over road safety in Nigeria. The Plateau crash occurred barely 12 days after another accident along Zaria Road claimed the lives of nine University of Jos students, highlighting a distressing pattern of preventable road fatalities.
The FRSC's warnings come as a critical reminder for all road users to prioritize safety, maintain controlled speeds, and ensure their vehicles are in good condition, especially during this period of increased holiday travel.
