A tragic road crash in the early hours of Thursday has claimed the lives of eight students of the University of Jos (UNIJOS), Nigeria after a bus transporting them collided with a trailer along Zaria Road, near Unity Bank, in Jos, Plateau State. The accident, which occurred around 2:30 a.m., has drawn renewed attention to the persistently high number of night-time road crashes in the region, prompting fresh warnings from road safety authorities.
According to eyewitness accounts, the victims were among eleven male occupants of a private bus traveling toward the northern axis of the city. Witnesses told reporters that the bus appeared to be moving at high speed and attempted an unsafe overtaking maneuver shortly before the driver lost control, veered into the path of an oncoming trailer, and crashed. Seven students were reported dead at the scene, while four others were rushed to a nearby medical facility. One later died while receiving treatment, bringing the total casualties to eight.
Three survivors remain hospitalised and are undergoing treatment for varying degrees of injuries. Hospital officials have not disclosed their conditions, but sources indicate they are receiving close medical attention.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed the incident in an official statement released by the Plateau State Command’s Public Education Officer, Peter Longsan. “At about 0230 hours on 11th December 2025, the FRSC Plateau State Sector Command received a distress call reporting a road traffic crash opposite Unity Bank on Zaria Road,” the statement
read. Longsan described the collision as involving two vehicles—a trailer and a bus—carrying students of the University of Jos.
He added that FRSC personnel and emergency responders immediately mobilised to the site of the accident, where the victims were evacuated and transported to medical facilities. “Seven people were suspected dead on the spot and were later certified dead by medical personnel. Another victim died at the hospital, while three others are currently receiving treatment,” Longsan said.
The Sector Commander of the FRSC in Plateau State, Olajide Mogaji, extended condolences to the families of the victims, the University of Jos community, and the Plateau State academic community at large. Mogaji stressed that the tragic loss underscores long-standing warnings about the dangers of late-night travel, especially during the festive period when commercial, private, and student traffic increases significantly.
He cited excessive speed, fatigue, reckless overtaking, impaired driving, and poor night visibility as leading contributors to road crashes across Nigeria. “We continue to advise motorists to avoid night journeys, particularly when fatigued, unwell, or under pressure to meet travel deadlines,” he said. “This is a season when many are eager to reconnect with their families, but safety must always come first. The government needs you alive to enjoy the festivities and beyond.”
Mogaji also encouraged members of the public to make use of the FRSC’s toll-free emergency number (122) to report dangerous road conditions, traffic crashes, or other emergencies requiring timely intervention.
The University of Jos has not released an official statement as of the time of this report, but students on campus expressed shock over the sudden loss of their colleagues. Some described the victims as returning home after academic activities, while others said they had been traveling for personal reasons. The identities of the deceased have yet to be published, pending notification of their families.
Plateau State has recorded several major road incidents in recent years, many of them tied to speeding, heavy-duty vehicle collisions, and late-night travel. Road safety advocates have repeatedly called for stricter enforcement of speed limits, improved traffic surveillance, and expanded public awareness campaigns targeting young drivers.
As the FRSC continues its investigations into Thursday’s crash, authorities say the findings will help determine whether mechanical failure, road conditions, or other factors might have contributed to the tragedy. In the meantime, they are reiterating their appeal for responsible driving habits, especially as holiday travel peaks nationwide.
Source:Africa Publicity
