Tragedy struck in the early hours of Thursday, December 11, 2025, as eight students of the University of Jos (UNIJOS), Plateau State, were killed following a horrific accident on Zaria Road, Jos metropolis. The students were returning from a night outing when a trailer lost control and collided with one of the buses conveying them, leading to multiple fatalities.
Eyewitnesses reported that in addition to the eight students who died on the spot, the bus driver also lost his life. Two students, who sustained injuries in the crash, were rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment.
According to survivors, the students were traveling in two hired buses from a night outing around 2 a.m. when the accident occurred. In the Zaria Road Stadium area, a trailer, reportedly traveling at high speed, appeared to have suffered brake failure and rammed into one of the buses. The force of the collision caused the bus to crash into an electric pole just before the Farin Gada bridge, resulting in the gruesome deaths.
“The collision tore the bus apart, killing eight occupants instantly before emergency responders later arrived to evacuate the bodies and rush the survivors to a nearby hospital,” a survivor recounted.
Another survivor, who was seated at the back of the bus, described the terrifying moments leading to the crash:
“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. After the hit, everyone was shouting, then the crash happened.”
The tragic accident has renewed calls from road safety advocates and community leaders for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations and better maintenance of heavy vehicles in Plateau State. Zaria Road, a busy thoroughfare linking the Jos metropolis with surrounding towns, has witnessed multiple accidents in the past, often involving buses and trucks traveling at high speed.
Road safety experts say that accidents involving trailer brake failure are not uncommon in Nigeria due to poor vehicle maintenance, overloading, and reckless driving. They argue that stricter inspection rules and adherence to safety regulations could prevent such preventable tragedies.
According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Plateau State recorded a significant number of road accidents in 2024 and early 2025, many involving commercial and heavy-duty vehicles. The Zaria Road stretch, in particular, has been identified as a high-risk area for both passenger and cargo vehicles.
A senior police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that authorities have launched a manhunt for the trailer driver, who reportedly fled the scene immediately after the collision.
“The trailer driver fled after the accident. We are working to track him down and bring him to justice,” the officer said. Plateau State Police are coordinating with local traffic authorities and the FRSC to conduct investigations into the cause of the crash, including examining vehicle maintenance records and interviewing witnesses.
The Plateau State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Alabo Alfred, was not immediately available for comment, but the police are expected to issue a formal statement in the coming hours.
The loss of eight young lives has sent shockwaves through the University of Jos community and the wider Plateau State populace. Students, faculty, and parents have expressed grief over the tragedy, describing the victims as bright, ambitious youths whose futures were abruptly cut short.
Nigeria has witnessed a growing number of road traffic accidents in recent years, many involving commercial buses, trailers, and poorly maintained vehicles. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) reports that over 10,000 lives are lost annually on Nigerian roads, with a significant portion of these fatalities attributed to over-speeding, vehicle defects, and driver negligence.
Transportation experts note that the combination of heavy traffic, inadequate road infrastructure, and poorly enforced regulations contributes significantly to the high rate of accidents. Advocates have urged government agencies to intensify road inspections, enforce vehicle maintenance standards, and educate drivers on safe driving practices.
Following the accident, Plateau State authorities have promised swift action to investigate the incident and hold those responsible accountable. There are calls for stricter regulations on heavy-duty vehicles, especially those transporting cargo or traveling near densely populated areas.
