A tanker vehicle lost control on Sunday night near the Polo Club Roundabout in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, plowing into several neatly parked vehicles in a horrific accident.
An eyewitness who was on the scene helping victims said no fewer than six people died instantly, while around five others sustained serious injuries.
“The vehicles were damaged beyond repair and have been towed to the ‘A’ Division Police Station together with the tanker,” he added.
According to the eyewitness, both the truck driver and his conductor were among those killed immediately.
He revealed that the tanker, which belongs to Jingri Filling Station Jos, is locally registered.
“Property worth millions of naira was damaged, and all vehicles run into by the tanker have been condemned,” he explained.
He further described the dramatic moments leading up to the crash, “When the driver notified his conductor of the brake failure, the conductor began shouting and alerting passersby and other vehicle drivers, saying, ‘Brake failure, brake failure.”
Commenting on the incident, the Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Commission Plateau State, Superintendent Route Commander Peter Longsan, stated that 18 people were involved.
“Two male adults died on the spot, 16 others who suffered various degrees of injury were taken to Plateau State Specialist Hospital and Bingham University Teaching Hospital (BUTH). The corpses of the deceased were deposited at BUTH,” he said.
Longsan explained that the tanker lost brakes immediately after the Plateau State Specialist Hospital Roundabout and continued descending until it came to rest atop other vehicles.
“In order to avert conflagration, sister agencies mobilised themselves and put hands on deck, cordoned the vicinity, and diverted traffic to ensure the safety of road users. The effort was also to bar economic saboteurs from attempting to loot. Thankfully, there was no spillage of the content of the tanker, as the risk of fire outbreak became low.”
He added that multiple agencies were involved in the operation, including the FRSC, Nigerian Police, NSCDC, Operation Rainbow, Vigilante Group of Nigeria Nigerian Army, Federal Fire Service, Vehicle Inspection Officers, and the Nigerian Red Cross Society.
“The content of the petroleum product was safely transloaded, all the vehicles involved have been safely removed and all obstructions cleared. The operation lasted into midnight, as this morning the road was clear, road users can go about their business,” Longsan noted.
The FRSC Sector Commander in Plateau, Corps Commander Olajide E Mogaji, expressed gratitude to all involved.
“He further appreciated the existing strategic synergy, partnership and collaboration within the stakeholders and the enjoyed cooperation with the community to ensure safety for all, as road safety is everybody’s business,” he said.
Finally, Longsan urged road users to be vigilant. “I enjoin road users to call the FRSC emergency number 122 to report road traffic crashes or other road emergencies for immediate intervention. Nigerians should further avoid distractions and take responsibility for their actions and inactions on the road. Stay safe and be defensive road users in the New Year,” he concluded.
