19 die in Plateau auto crash

No fewer than 19 persons including five Nigerian Airforce personnel died in the motor accident at Hawan Kibo community in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State. 

It was gathered that the incident which involved an 18-seater bus, occurred on Monday night, October 21, 2024. 

The  vehicle was heading to Abuja from Adamawa State when it collided with a stationary trailer undergoing roadside repairs.

A resident of the community, Christopher Maju, who witnessed the accident blamed the accident on brake failure. 

“It was in the night. Several vehicles were already at the checkpoint in Hawan Kibo community after they were stopped by soldiers who usually checked every vehicle before allowing them to pass. Suddenly, we saw a bus speeding to the checkpoint and the occupants were shouting, ‘No brake, no brake!’,” the witness told the Punch.

“Maybe in an attempt to dodge crashing on the long queue of vehicles at the checkpoint, the driver of the ill-fated bus swerved off the road. But it eventually crashed on a stationary articulated vehicle killing 18 people on the spot. But one injured person who was still breathing at the scene died while he was being taken to the hospital.” 

The spokesperson for the Federal Road Safety Corps, Plateau State Command, Peter Yakubu, also confirmed the death of the passengers. 

According to Yakubu, their corpses had been evacuated to the hospital morgue. 

“No one survived the accident. The sole person taken to the hospital later succumbed. Eighteen died at the scene, while one d!ed at the hospital. The whole thing was caused by brake failure. It is rather unfortunate.”

Meanwhile, the Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has extended his deepest condolences to the Nigerian Air Force, the Government, and the people of Adamawa State following the tragic accident. 

In a heartfelt message issued by Gyang Bere, his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Governor Mutfwang described the accident resulting from a brake failure, as a devastating loss, particularly due to the unfortunate death of all passengers, including five Nigerian Air Force personnel.

He said the incident is a profound tragedy and expressed his sincere sympathy to the bereaved families, the Governor of Adamawa State, the Chief of the Air Staff, and all those affected by the painful event. The Governor prayed that such a heart-wrenching occurrence would not be repeated.