Jos — No fewer than 10 people lost their lives in a multiple auto crash that occurred in the early hours of yesterday along the Jos–Bauchi Road, near a military checkpoint on the outskirts of Jos, Plateau State.
The Plateau State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed that the accident happened at about 12:12 a.m. and involved four vehicles—two articulated trucks and two Ford Galaxy minibuses.
According to the FRSC, a total of 19 persons were involved in the crash, comprising 17 males and two females. Ten adult males were confirmed dead at the scene, while the remaining victims sustained varying degrees of injuries.
The injured persons were taken to the General Hospital, Miyanbarkate; Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH); and the Plateau State Specialist Hospital for medical treatment. Eight of the deceased were deposited at the mortuaries of the Plateau State Specialist Hospital and Bingham University Teaching Hospital, while the remaining two bodies were released to officials of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) for burial.
The rescue operation was jointly carried out by personnel of the FRSC, the Nigeria Police, the military, and members of the host community.
Although investigations into the incident are ongoing, preliminary findings attributed the crash to excessive speed and reckless driving, which led to loss of control.
Reacting to the incident, the Plateau State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Corps Commander Olajide Mogaji, expressed concern over the crash, noting that it occurred barely 12 days after a similar accident that claimed the lives of eight students of the University of Jos.
Mogaji commended the swift response of security agencies and community members during the rescue operation and advised motorists to avoid night travel, excessive speeding, dangerous driving, driving under the influence of alcohol, and driving while sick or fatigued.
