At least 19 people have tragically lost their lives in a fatal motor accident that occurred at Hawan Kibo, a notorious accident-prone area in the Riyom local government area of Plateau State.
According to reports, Hawan Kibo, which serves as a major gateway to Jos, the Plateau State capital, is approximately 60 kilometers from the city. The area has long been recognized for its dangerous road conditions, contributing to frequent accidents.
The spokesperson for the Plateau State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Peter Yakubu, confirmed the devastating incident to journalists in Jos on Tuesday evening. He noted that none of the passengers in the ill-fated vehicle survived the crash.
“No one survived the accident. The only individual taken to the hospital later succumbed to injuries. Eighteen died on the spot, while one passed away at the hospital,” Yakubu disclosed.
A staff member at Riyom Trauma Hospital, where the victims were initially brought, explained the severity of the situation. “All the victims brought to us were already deceased. Some bodies were severely mutilated and unrecognizable. Due to electricity issues in Riyom local government, the bodies have been transferred to a mortuary in Jos,” the hospital employee said.
The hospital staff further revealed that the vehicle involved in the accident was on its way from Adamawa State to Abuja when the tragedy struck.
Hawan Kibo has a grim history of frequent road accidents, largely attributed to the deteriorating condition of the road. This has led to persistent complaints from road users and local residents, who have long called for urgent government intervention to address the dangers posed by the road.