By Mary Izuaka

 

No fewer than 20 people have died in a multiple-vehicle road crash along the Hawan Kibo-Jos route in Plateau State.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said the crash occurred at about 3:32 p.m. on Friday after Sopp Water Falls.

In a statement on Friday by the Corps Public Education Officer, Osondu Ohaeri, the FRSC said preliminary findings indicate brake failure and subsequent loss of control (LOC) as the likely causes of the crash.

Mr Ohaeri said 25 people were involved in the crash – 23 males and two females. Five persons, comprising three males and two females, sustained injuries while 20 males lost their lives.

He said four vehicles were involved in the crash: Howo Sino truck with registration number AGL 525 YN; Toyota Corolla with registration number AB 129 M; Toyota Bummer bus with no registration number, operated by Yankari Express; and a motorcycle whose registration particulars were not available.

According to him, the injured victims were evacuated to Ryom General Hospital and Vom Christian Hospital respectively, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) Mortuary.

He said FRSC rescue personnel also cleared the obstruction and restored the affected section of the highway to traffic.

Reacting to the tragedy, the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed, expressed profound sadness over the loss of lives and extended his heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and associates of the deceased.

He prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed and wished the injured victims a speedy recovery.

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The Corps Marshal directed the crash investigation team to conduct a thorough investigation into the crash and establish all circumstances surrounding the incident, particularly the reported brake failure and loss of control.

He also called on motorists, especially operators of commercial and heavy-duty vehicles, to make vehicle roadworthiness, proper maintenance, speed management and responsible driving non-negotiable priorities.

“Additionally, the Corps Marshal further admonished drivers to be more careful than ever, noting that the loss of 20 lives in a single crash is not merely a statistic; it represents 20 families suddenly plunged into grief.

‘Behind every number is a name, a home, a family and a future. The Corps therefore urges every road user to take personal responsibility for safety, because no journey is so urgent that it should end in the loss of a human life,” the statement said.