A tragic accident in Jos, Plateau State, claimed the lives of at least eight University of Jos (UNIJOS) students early Thursday morning. The students were returning from a night outing when a trailer lost control and collided with one of the buses conveying them along Zaria Road, resulting in a devastating crash that also killed the bus driver. Two students who survived were rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred around 2:00 a.m. as the students were traveling in two hired buses. In the Zaria Road Stadium area, a trailer reportedly traveling at high speed experienced brake failure, colliding with one of the buses. The impact caused the driver of the bus to lose control, sending the vehicle crashing into an electric pole just before the Farin Gada bridge.
A survivor recounted the terrifying moments: “The collision tore the bus apart, killing eight occupants instantly before emergency responders later arrived to evacuate the bodies. We were sitting at the back, so the force didn’t hit us as badly. Immediately the trailer struck us, and the bus started shaking. Before anyone could react, we hit the electric pole. The whole bus just broke apart. It was so sudden—we didn’t even see the trailer coming. After the hit, everyone was shouting, then the crash happened.”
The Plateau State Police have yet to issue an official confirmation, but a senior officer told Daily Post that a manhunt has been launched for the trailer driver, who reportedly fled the scene following the accident. Emergency responders were quick to arrive at the site to evacuate the injured and recover the bodies.
This incident has once again raised concerns about road safety in Plateau State, particularly regarding the regulation of heavy-duty vehicles and the adherence to speed limits at night. Transportation authorities and local enforcement agencies are being urged to ensure stricter monitoring to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Family members of the victims have expressed shock and grief, calling for justice and accountability to prevent further loss of young lives. The University of Jos community has also mourned the loss of the students, describing the accident as a devastating blow to the institution.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, with attention focused on the trailer driver’s whereabouts and the mechanical condition of the vehicle.
Horror Crash in Jos Claims Lives of Eight UNIJOS Students
