The number of people killed in the road crash in Plateau State has risen to 21, highlighting continued concerns over fatal accidents on Nigeria’s highways and inter-state routes.
The Federal Road Safety Corps in the state, said the crash was caused by brake failure on the truck.
The death toll from the multiple road crashes along the Hawan Kibo Road in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State has risen to 21.
The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps in the state, Corps Commander Adelaja Ogungbemi, who visited the scene alongside the Zonal Commanding Officer, Assistant Corps Marshal, Joseph Udoabba, disclosed the latest figure after assessing the crash site on Saturday.
The officials inspected the scene and the extent of damage caused by the accident, which occurred on Friday evening when a truck reportedly suffered brake failure and rammed into other vehicles travelling towards Jos.
The crash involved a truck, a Hummer bus and a motorcycle.
The Hummer bus caught fire following the impact, while several victims were trapped in the vehicle.
Speaking after the assessment, the FRSC officials urged motorists to exercise greater caution while driving and ensure that their vehicles are properly maintained.
They urged vehicle owners to carry out regular checks of critical vehicle components, particularly braking systems, as these are essential to preventing avoidable road crashes and loss of life.
The FRSC has also continued efforts to manage traffic around the scene and facilitate the removal of the affected vehicles and recovery of the victims.
Road accidents continue to claim lives and leave many others injured on Nigeria’s roads, with multiple-vehicle collisions recorded on major highways and inter-state routes.
Last month, six people were confirmed killed in a fatal motor accident that occurred along Girei Road in Adamawa State.
Months earlier, a multiple-vehicle accident on the Ibadan end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway claimed at least five lives, while eight people sustained varying degrees of injuries.
In April, the Ogun State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed three deaths in another multiple-vehicle crash at the Onipepeye axis of the Abeokuta–Sagamu Road in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of the state. Seven other people were injured in the accident.
