The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says 20 people were killed in a multi-vehicle crash along the Hawan Kibo-Jos route in Plateau State.
Osondu Ohaeri, FRSC Corps Public Education Officer, said in a statement on Friday that the accident happened at about 3:32pm after Sopp Water Falls.
Ohaeri said 25 people were involved in the crash, comprising 23 males and two females. He added that five people were injured while 20 males died.
The FRSC spokesperson said suspected causes of the crash included brake failure and loss of control.
He said four vehicles were involved in the incident: a Howo Sino truck with registration number AGL 525 YN, a Toyota Corolla with registration number AB 129 M, a Toyota Hummer bus operated by Yankari Express, and a motorcycle whose registration details were unavailable.
The injured victims were taken to Ryom General Hospital and Vom Christian Hospital for treatment, while the bodies of those who died were deposited at the mortuary of the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH).
Ohaeri said FRSC rescue personnel removed the obstruction caused by the crash and reopened the affected section of the highway.
Reacting to the incident, Shehu Mohammed, FRSC Corps Marshal, expressed condolences to the families, friends and associates of the deceased.
Mohammed directed the crash investigation team to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident.
He said the investigation should specifically examine the reported brake failure and loss of control.
“The loss of 20 lives in a single crash represents 20 families suddenly plunged into grief. Behind every number is a name, a home, a family and a future,” he said.
He urged motorists and other road users to prioritise personal responsibility for safety, stressing that no journey was important enough to end in death.