A catastrophic road traffic crash has left a community in mourning in Plateau State after a tanker lost control, killing six persons and injuring five others. The tragic incident occurred on Sunday night near the Polo Club Roundabout in the Jos North Local Government Area.
Eyewitness Account of the Tragic Collision
According to an eyewitness who was at the scene and assisted victims, the tanker, belonging to the Jingri Filling Station in Jos, suffered a complete brake failure. The vehicle careened out of control, slamming into several other cars that were neatly parked by the roadside.
The witness recounted that the driver alerted his conductor to the mechanical problem. The conductor then began frantically shouting "Brake failure, brake failure!" to warn passersby and other motorists. Tragically, both the driver and the conductor were among the six individuals who died instantly in the ghastly collision.
Property worth millions of Naira was destroyed, with all vehicles hit by the tanker reportedly damaged beyond repair. The wreckage, including the tanker, was subsequently towed to the 'A' Division Police Station in Jos.
Official FRSC Report and Multi-Agency Response
The Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Plateau State, Superintendent Route Commander Peter Longsan, provided an official account. He stated that the accident involved 18 people, with two male adults confirmed dead at the scene.
Longsan explained that the tanker's brakes failed shortly after the Plateau State Specialist Hospital Roundabout. The vehicle kept descending until it crashed, coming to a final stop on top of other vehicles. Sixteen injured victims were rushed to the Plateau State Specialist Hospital and the Bingham University Teaching Hospital (BUTH) for treatment. The corpses of the deceased were deposited at BUTH.
A massive joint operation was launched to manage the crisis and prevent further disaster. Multiple security and emergency agencies collaborated to cordon off the area, divert traffic, and secure the scene from potential looters. Thankfully, there was no spillage of the tanker's petroleum content, significantly reducing the risk of a fire outbreak.
The agencies involved included:
- Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC)
- Nigerian Police Force
- Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)
- Operation Rainbow
- Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN)
- Nigerian Army
- Federal Fire Service
- Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO)
- Nigerian Red Cross Society
The petroleum product was safely transloaded, all wreckage was cleared, and the road was reopened by morning. The FRSC Sector Commander in Plateau, Corps Commander Olajide E Mogaji, praised the strategic synergy between all stakeholders.
A Call for Increased Road Safety Vigilance
In his statement, SRC Peter Longsan emphasized that while people are still enjoying the yuletide season, FRSC officers remain on high alert to ensure the safe movement of all road users. He used the opportunity to issue a stern reminder on road safety.
Longsan urged all motorists to avoid distractions and take full responsibility for their actions while driving. He encouraged the public to promptly report any road traffic crash or emergency by calling the FRSC toll-free number 122 for immediate intervention.
He concluded with a plea for defensive driving as the New Year approaches, stating that "road safety is everybody’s business" and wishing all road users a safe journey.
