A fuel tanker crash near St. Louis College in Jos, Plateau State, has claimed the lives of two people and left 16 others injured.
The accident occurred on Sunday evening around the Polo Field Club Roundabout area, eyewitnesses said.
According to accounts from the scene, the tanker reportedly lost control after suffering brake failure shortly after the Plateau State Specialist Hospital Roundabout and rammed into several vehicles along its path.
Confirming the incident on Monday, the Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Plateau State, Peter Longsan, said emergency responders moved swiftly to prevent further casualties and possible fire outbreak.
“Another road traffic crash occurred around St. Louis College near the Polo Field Club Roundabout on December 28, 2025, involving a fully loaded tanker and five other vehicles,” Longsan said.
He explained that the crash was reported to the FRSC at about 6:49 pm, prompting immediate deployment of rescue teams to the scene.
“Eighteen persons were involved in the crash. Two adult males died instantly, while 16 others sustained varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to the Plateau State Specialist Hospital and Bingham University Teaching Hospital,” he stated.
Longsan added that the corpses of the deceased were deposited at Bingham University Teaching Hospital.
Eyewitnesses at the scene said the tanker descended uncontrollably after losing its brakes before crashing and coming to rest on other vehicles.
“In order to avert any fire incident, sister agencies cordoned off the area and diverted traffic,” Longsan said.
“This was also to prevent economic saboteurs from attempting to loot the tanker.”
He noted that there was no spillage of petroleum products, significantly reducing the risk of an explosion or fire outbreak.
Several agencies participated in the rescue and safety operation, including the Nigeria Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Nigerian Army, Federal Fire Service, Operation Rainbow, the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Vehicle Inspection Officers, and the Nigerian Red Cross Society.
According to the FRSC, the fuel was safely transloaded, damaged vehicles were removed, and all obstructions were cleared from the road.
“The operation lasted into the night, and as of this morning, the road has been fully reopened for traffic,” Longsan said.
The Sector Commander of the FRSC in Plateau State, Olajide E. Mogaji, commended the collaboration among security and emergency agencies and the cooperation of the local community.
“Road safety is everybody’s business,” Mogaji said, urging motorists to remain vigilant and avoid distractions, especially during the festive season.
He also advised road users to promptly report accidents or emergencies through the FRSC toll-free number, 122, and called on drivers to adopt defensive driving habits in the new year.
