A tragic fuel tanker accident has claimed the lives of two men and left 16 other people injured after a heavy-duty tanker rammed into several vehicles along a busy axis of Jos, Plateau State.
Eyewitness accounts indicated that the tanker, fully loaded with petroleum products, suffered brake failure while descending a slope, causing the driver to lose control and plough into multiple vehicles in its path.
The impact, according to residents, was sudden and devastating.
Moreover, emergency responders confirmed that several victims sustained varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to nearby medical facilities for urgent treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were evacuated from the scene.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) later disclosed that the incident occurred on Sunday evening near St. Louis College, close to the Polo Field Club Roundabout in Jos.
According to the agency, it received a distress call around 6:49 p.m. and immediately deployed rescue teams.
Speaking on the development, the FRSC Public Education Officer in Plateau State, Peter Longsan, said officers acted swiftly to prevent further casualties.
“Our personnel moved in immediately after the alert, rescued the injured, and ensured they were taken to Plateau State Specialist Hospital and Bingham University Teaching Hospital for medical attention,” he said.
However, Longsan confirmed that two adult males died on the spot due to the severity of the crash.
He added that their remains were deposited at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital mortuary.
Furthermore, security and emergency agencies were mobilised to manage the situation and secure the area.
Traffic was diverted, while the scene was cordoned off to reduce risks and prevent possible looting or secondary accidents.
Notably, authorities confirmed that there was no fuel spillage from the tanker, significantly lowering the risk of a fire outbreak.
“Thankfully, the tanker did not leak its content, which helped us avoid a potentially catastrophic fire,” Longsan stated.
Agencies involved in the rescue and control operation included the FRSC, Nigerian Police, Nigerian Army, Federal Fire Service, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Operation Rainbow, the Nigerian Red Cross Society, and other support groups.
By midnight, the petroleum product had been safely transloaded, damaged vehicles removed, and the road fully cleared for motorists. Normal traffic flow was restored by Monday morning.
Commending the coordinated response, the FRSC Sector Commander in Plateau State, Olajide Mogaji, praised the collaboration among security agencies and the local community.
He stressed that road safety requires collective responsibility.
He further urged motorists to remain cautious, avoid distractions, and report emergencies through the FRSC toll-free number 122, especially during the festive and New Year period.