Brake Failure Causes Tragic Road Crash, Claims 19 Lives Including 5 Air Force Officers On Jos-Akwanga Highway

By: Abdulwasiu Akintunde 

No fewer than nineteen people, including five Nigerian Air Force personnel, tragically lost their lives on Tuesday in a road accident caused by brake failure in Jos, Plateau State. 

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News gathered that the accident occurred along the Jos-Akwanga highway at Hawan Kibo, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.  

The victims were traveling from Adamawa to Abuja to participate in a sporting event when their 18-seater bus suffered a brake failure and crashed into a stationary trailer undergoing repairs by the roadside.  

Hawan Kibo, a major transit route to Jos, is known for frequent accidents due to poor road conditions. It is situated approximately 60 kilometers from Jos, the Plateau State capital.  

Spokesperson for the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Plateau State, Peter Yakubu, confirmed the accident to journalists. 

He stated that 18 passengers died instantly at the scene, while the lone survivor was rushed to the hospital but later succumbed to injuries.  

“No passenger survived. The only individual taken to the hospital eventually passed away. Eighteen died on the spot, with one more confirmed dead in the hospital,” Yakubu said.  

Also, the Director of Public Relations and Information for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, expressed deep regret over the loss of five personnel involved in the crash.  

According to Akinboyewa, “Our personnel were traveling to attend a sports event in Abuja when their vehicle collided head-on with a truck. The Air Force has initiated all necessary protocols to support the bereaved families during this difficult time.”  

He appealed to the public to respect the families' privacy and refrain from spreading unverified information, adding, “May their souls rest in peace.”  

OTN News further gathered that a staff member at Riyom Trauma Hospital confirmed that all victims were brought in lifeless. Some bodies were severely mutilated, making identification difficult. Due to power issues at the hospital, the remains were transferred to a mortuary in Jos.  

Meanwhile, Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang has described the tragedy as “profound.” 

However, in a statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, the Governor expressed condolences to the families of the victims, the Chief of the Air Staff, and the Adamawa State Government.  

Mutfwang also commended the swift response of the Special Task Force, FRSC, and local volunteers who attempted to assist the victims despite the unfortunate outcome. 

The statement reiterated that the accident resulted from brake failure, causing the bus to collide with the stationary trailer.  

In a related incident, players from the Kano Pillars FC U-19 team were involved in a road accident while traveling to the New Jos Stadium for a match against Plateau United U-19.  

The team’s media director confirmed that several players and the bus driver sustained injuries and were receiving medical treatment.  

“Fortunately, there are no fatalities. The medical team is monitoring the situation, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available,” the statement said.  

The statement concluded that these tragic accidents highlight ongoing concerns about road safety and poor infrastructure, with many calling for urgent interventions to prevent future occurrences.