At least 20 people have reportedly died following a serious motor accident at Hawan Kibo community in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The crash occurred on Friday evening along the Hawan Kibo section of the Jos–Abuja highway, with reports indicating that the incident happened at about 5pm.

The Plateau State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Corps Commander Adelaja Ogungbemi, confirmed the reported death toll in an interview with journalists, saying rescue personnel were at the scene evacuating injured victims.

According to the FRSC commander, 20 people had been confirmed dead at the time of the report, while several injured victims were being transported to medical facilities.

Ogungbemi attributed the crash to brake failure and advised motorists to ensure their vehicles are properly inspected before embarking on journeys.

He also urged drivers to exercise additional caution when approaching bends and other potentially hazardous sections of the highway.

Eyewitness accounts described a chaotic scene following the crash, with residents and other road users reportedly rushing to assist victims before and during the arrival of emergency responders.

Hawan Kibo is a known FRSC operational location along the Plateau section of the highway. The FRSC lists a unit command at Hawan Kibo and also maintains a roadside clinic there as part of its emergency response infrastructure.

The location has also experienced fatal crashes in the past. FRSC records show that the Hawan Kibo–Jos route recorded 29 road-crash fatalities in 2024, highlighting the longstanding safety concerns associated with the route.

In October 2024, another major crash at Hawan Kibo involving a passenger bus and an articulated vehicle resulted in multiple deaths, with reports from the time putting the final toll at 19. The Nigerian Air Force separately confirmed that five of its personnel were among those killed in that incident.

For the latest incident, rescue operations were reportedly still ongoing at the time of the initial report, meaning the casualty figure could be subject to further confirmation as emergency agencies complete their work.

The reported tragedy has once again drawn attention to road safety along the Hawan Kibo corridor and the need for motorists to exercise caution, particularly around bends and descending sections of the highway.

Further details, including the identities of the victims, the number of injured persons and the circumstances surrounding the vehicle involved, are expected to emerge as authorities complete their assessment of the crash.