Tragedy as fuel tanker crash kills two, injures 16 others in Plateau

Two people died and sixteen others were injured when a fuel tanker lost control and crashed near St. Louis College in Jos, Plateau State. 

The accident occurred on Sunday evening, according to eyewitnesses, who said the tanker’s brakes failed shortly after the Plateau State Specialist Hospital Roundabout, causing it to collide with several vehicles.

Confirming the incident to Very Nigerian on Monday, Peter Longsan, the Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), said the injured were taken to nearby hospitals, while the deceased were deposited at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH).

He added that the FRSC, along with the police, army, and fire service, responded promptly, cordoning off the area and redirecting traffic to prevent further accidents.

Giving details of the incident in a statement issued on Monday after concluding the rescue operation, Longsan said:

“As people are still basking in the spirit of the yuletide, FRSC Officers and Men are busy on the road to ensure safe movement of road users.

“Another road traffic crash occurred around St. Louis College near the Polo Field Club Roundabout on 28th December 2025 involving a laden tanker and five other vehicles. The crash was reported to the FRSC at about 1849 hours (6:49 pm) who immediately went for the rescue.

“18 people were involved, 2 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.

Eyewitnesses reported that the tanker lost brakes immediately after the Plateau State Specialist Hospital Roundabout and kept descending until it finally crashed and rested on vehicles to take a stationary position.

“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 making any attempt to loot.

“Thankfully there was no spillage of the content of the tanker, as the risk of fire outbreak became low.”

The sister agencies present at the scene included the Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigerian Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Officers and Men of Operation Rainbow, Vigilante Group of Nigeria, the Nigerian Army, Federal Fire Service, Vehicle Inspection Officers, and the Nigerian Red Cross Society.

It was stated that the petroleum product was safely transloaded, all vehicles involved were removed, and all obstructions cleared.

“The operation lasted into midnight, and as of this morning the road was clear, road users can go about their business.”

The Sector Commander, FRSC Plateau, Olajide E. Mogaji, appreciated all who contributed to the success of the operations. He also commended the strategic synergy, partnership, and collaboration among stakeholders, as well as the cooperation of the community, noting that road safety is everybody’s business.

He finally enjoined road users to call the FRSC emergency number 122 to report road traffic crashes or other emergencies, urging Nigerians to avoid distractions and take responsibility for their actions on the road.

He thereafter urged all road users to stay safe and be defensive drivers in the New Year.

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