By Israel Adamu, Jos
At least 10 passengers have been confirmed dead in a Plateau road crash that occurred in the early hours of Tuesday along the Jos–Bauchi highway in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State. Several other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries in the accident, which involved multiple vehicles. The crash occurred at about 12:12 a.m., shortly after a military checkpoint on the busy highway. According to eyewitness accounts and emergency officials, the collision involved two articulated trucks (trailers) and two mini buses, both identified as Ford Galaxy vehicles.
Confirming the incident, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Plateau State Command, said a joint rescue operation was immediately launched following distress calls from road users and nearby residents. Personnel of the FRSC worked alongside officers of the Nigeria Police Force, officials of the Ministry of Health, and local volunteers to manage the scene and evacuate victims.The Route Commander and Public Education Officer of the FRSC in Plateau State, Superintendent Peter Y. Longsan, provided details of the crash, noting that a total of 19 persons were involved.“
The crash occurred at about 0012 hours (12:12 a.m.) and involved four vehicles—two trailers and two mini buses,” Longsan said. “Nineteen people were involved, comprising 17 males and two females. Sadly, 10 adult males died on the spot.”
He added that the injured victims were promptly rushed to medical facilities for treatment. The hospitals include General Hospital, Miango Barkin Ladi, Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), and the Plateau State Specialist Hospital.
According to the FRSC official, the bodies of eight of the deceased victims were deposited at the morgues of the Plateau State Specialist Hospital and Bingham University Teaching Hospital. The remaining two bodies were claimed by officials of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) for burial.
Preliminary investigations by the FRSC indicate that excessive speed and reckless driving were the major contributory factors responsible for the Plateau road crash. Longsan noted that further investigations are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the accident.In response to the incident, the FRSC renewed its call on motorists and commuters to prioritize safety on Nigerian roads, particularly during night travel. The agency cautioned drivers against speeding, dangerous overtaking, and fatigue-induced driving.“The FRSC strongly advises road users to avoid night journeys where possible, obey traffic regulations, and place personal safety above all else,” Longsan stated.
The Jos–Bauchi road has remained one of the busiest routes in Plateau State, frequently used by commercial transporters and heavy-duty vehicles. Residents and commuters have repeatedly raised concerns about poor driving habits and the dangers posed by speeding trucks, especially during late-night hours.Authorities have assured the public that measures are being intensified to reduce road traffic crashes and improve safety along major highways in Plateau State.
