Reported by Ariajegbe Sylvia Esezobor
At least 20 people have been confirmed dead following a devastating multiple-vehicle crash at Hawan Kibo, a notorious hilly stretch in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, after a truck suffered brake failure and ploughed into vehicles travelling towards Jos on Friday evening. The accident, which occurred at about 5:00 p.m. on October 2, 2026, threw the area into confusion as residents, travellers and emergency responders battled to rescue victims trapped in the wreckage. Some reports placed the time of the crash earlier, at about 3:32 p.m., shortly after Sopp Water Falls, though the FRSC's official account put the incident in the evening.
The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Plateau State, Corps Commander Adelaja Ogungbemi, confirmed the incident and the death toll. According to him, 20 persons lost their lives, including 18 occupants of a commercial Hummer bus and two persons riding a motorcycle. The impact of the collision caused the bus to catch fire, trapping and killing the 18 passengers inside, while the two motorcyclists died at the scene. "The crash happened in the evening of Friday. It was as a result of brake failure from the truck, which rammed into other vehicles heading towards Jos," Ogungbemi said. He added that FRSC personnel had been deployed to the scene to manage the situation, clear the road and evacuate the victims. "Our men have been deployed to the scene and are working hard to clear the traffic and ensure that the corpses of the deceased are deposited at the appropriate hospitals," he said.
Eyewitnesses described a scene of terror and helplessness. One witness who was close to the scene said the truck appeared to have lost control while descending the steep bend before ploughing into other road users. "I was close by when it happened around 5 p.m. The vehicle lost control while coming down the hill. It was a terrible scene. People were shouting for help and many victims were trapped," the witness recounted. Another resident said the aftermath was heart-rending, noting that rescue efforts were initially hampered by the large crowd that gathered at the scene. "We have not seen anything like this here in recent times. Many victims were lying on the ground while others were trapped in the vehicles. FRSC officials arrived quickly and started evacuating the injured, but many had already died," he said. Injured victims were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, while efforts continued late into the evening to clear the road and complete rescue operations.
The crash has renewed concerns over road safety along the Hawan Kibo corridor, a route that has witnessed several fatal crashes over the years due to its difficult terrain and frequent incidents of mechanical failure. The bend is notorious among drivers travelling between Jos and Abuja, and the steep descent places heavy demands on braking systems, particularly for heavy-duty vehicles. Authorities urged transport operators and motorists to ensure that critical vehicle components, particularly braking systems, are in good condition before embarking on journeys. Ogungbemi said the FRSC would continue to advise motorists to always check their vehicles before trips, and warned drivers to exercise caution, especially when negotiating bends and steep descents.
The Plateau State Government has not yet issued a formal statement on the crash, though Governor Caleb Mutfwang has previously expressed condolences in similar incidents. The tragedy occurred on the same day the governor gave assurance that the recurring issue of killings in parts of the state would soon become a thing of the past, following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Lagos. The coincidence underscored the multiple security and safety challenges confronting Plateau State, where banditry, communal violence and road accidents have claimed hundreds of lives in recent years.
The accident is the latest in a series of fatal multiple-vehicle crashes recorded on major highways across Nigeria in 2026. Months earlier, a multiple-vehicle crash on the Ibadan end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway reportedly killed at least five people and left eight others injured. In April, the Ogun State Sector Command of the FRSC confirmed three deaths after a multiple-vehicle collision at the Onipepeye axis of the Abeokuta-Sagamu Road in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, with seven others sustaining injuries. The frequency of these incidents reflects systemic challenges in Nigeria's road transport sector, including poor vehicle maintenance, inadequate enforcement of safety regulations, and the difficult condition of many highways.
The Hawan Kibo bend has been the site of previous tragedies. In October 2024, 19 people died in a crash at the same location when an 18-seater bus travelling from Adamawa to Abuja lost control and collided with a stationary trailer due to brake failure. Five Nigerian Air Force personnel were among the victims. The recurrence of fatal crashes at the same spot has raised questions about whether adequate safety measures have been implemented, including the installation of warning signs, speed-calming measures and emergency escape lanes for vehicles experiencing brake failure.
For the families of the 20 victims, the crash represents an unbearable loss. The commercial bus was carrying passengers travelling towards Jos, many of whom were likely returning home or heading to the city for business, education or family obligations. The two motorcyclists who died at the scene were navigating the same stretch of road when the out-of-control truck struck them. The identities of the victims have not been released, pending notification of their families and the completion of rescue and recovery operations.
The FRSC has consistently emphasised that brake failure is one of the leading causes of fatal road crashes in Nigeria, particularly on hilly terrain and highways where vehicles operate at high speeds. The Corps has urged transport companies to implement routine maintenance schedules, conduct pre-trip inspections and ensure that drivers are properly trained to handle emergencies. The Federal Government has also invested in road infrastructure improvements, including the rehabilitation of major highways, but enforcement of vehicle safety standards remains uneven, and many commercial vehicles operate with defective braking systems, worn tyres and other mechanical faults.
As Plateau State mourns the dead of Hawan Kibo, the crash serves as a grim reminder of the human cost of neglecting road safety. The bend that has claimed so many lives remains a symbol of the dangers that Nigerians face on the country's highways every day. The question that follows every such tragedy — when will enough be done to prevent the next one? — remains unanswered.
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