FRSC confirms 20 deaths in Hawan Kibo crash in Plateau

The Federal Road Safety Corps has confirmed that 20 people died in a road crash at Hawan Kibo in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State on Friday.

A truck and other vehicles were involved in the crash on the Hawan Kibo-Jos route. Injured passengers were taken to hospitals as FRSC personnel carried out rescue operations.

Plateau FRSC Sector Commander Adelaja Ogungbemi told Punch that 20 people had been confirmed dead. He attributed the crash to brake failure, while Daily Trust reported his account that the truck’s braking system failed before it collided with other vehicles.

A statement by FRSC public education officer Osondu Ohaeri, reported by The Cable, gave a total of 25 people involved: 23 men and two women. It said 20 men died and five people, including both women, were injured.

The accounts gave different times for the crash. Punch and Daily Trust placed it at about 5pm, while the FRSC statement cited by The Cable said it occurred at about 3:32pm after Sopp Water Falls.

The statement listed four vehicles: a Howo Sino truck, a Toyota Corolla, a bus operated by Yankari Express and a motorcycle. It said injured victims were taken to Ryom General Hospital and Vom Christian Hospital, while the bodies were deposited at the Jos University Teaching Hospital mortuary.

FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed directed an investigation into the circumstances of the crash, including the reported brake failure and loss of control. The corps said personnel had cleared the obstruction and reopened the affected section of the highway.

Sources: Punch, Daily Trust, The Cable