20 lives lost on Hawan Kibo – Jos Road as suspected brake failure triggers fatal crash

By Onu Okorie

Twenty people were killed in a devastating multiple-vehicle crash on the Hawan Kibo–Jos road in Plateau State on Friday, with preliminary findings pointing to brake failure and loss of control as possible factors in the tragedy.
The crash occurred at about 3:32pm after Sopp Water Falls and involved four vehicles, including a Howo Sino truck, a Toyota Corolla, a Toyota Bummer bus operated by Yankari Express and a motorcycle.
According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), 25 people were involved in the crash. While five people—three men and two women—sustained injuries, 20 men died in the incident.
The scale of the tragedy has once again drawn attention to the consequences of vehicle defects, particularly among heavy-duty and commercial vehicles operating on Nigeria’s highways.
The FRSC said the preliminary investigation indicated that the crash may have been triggered by brake failure, followed by loss of control. However, the Corps stressed that a detailed investigation had been ordered to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
The injured victims were evacuated to Ryom General Hospital and Vom Christian Hospital for medical attention, while the bodies of those who died were deposited at the mortuary of Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH).
Rescue personnel from the FRSC subsequently cleared the crash scene and restored traffic flow along the affected section of the highway.
Reacting to the incident, the Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Shehu Mohammed, mni, expressed condolences to the families, friends and associates of the victims.
Mohammed directed the Corps’ crash investigation team to conduct a comprehensive investigation, particularly into the reported brake failure and subsequent loss of control.
He also urged motorists, especially operators of commercial and heavy-duty vehicles, to treat roadworthiness and preventive vehicle maintenance as essential safety requirements rather than optional measures.
The Corps Marshal further appealed to drivers to exercise greater caution on the nation’s highways, stressing that the loss of 20 people in one crash represents far more than a traffic statistic.
“Behind every number is a name, a home, a family and a future,” the Corps said, urging motorists and other road users to take personal responsibility for safety.
The FRSC also appealed to motorists to observe speed limits, maintain their vehicles properly and avoid driving practices that could place other road users at risk.
The Corps said no journey should be considered so urgent that it warrants compromising human life.