19 Abuja-bound passengers including five Nigeria Air Force personnel traveling from Adamawa to Abuja Tuesday, lost their lives in a motor accident at Hawan Kibo, along the Jos-Akwanga express road in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

HorizonTimes gathered that the deceased were traveling to attend a sport event in Abuja when the 18-seater bus had a brake failure and collided with a stationary trailer undergoing roadside repairs.

Hawan Kibo which is a gateway to Jos, the Pleateau State capital, is about 60 kilometers from the state capital.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Plateau State Command’s spokesman, Peter Yakubu, confirmed the incident journalists, stating that all passengers in the vehicle died.

According to him, 18 passengers died on the spot while the other person died at the hospital.

He said, “No one survived the accident. The sole person taken to the hospital later succumbed. Eighteen died at the scene, while one died at the hospital.”

Confirming the death of the NAF officers on Tuesday, the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, said the vechilce on which the officers were traveling had an headon collision with a truck.

He said, “The Nigerian Air Force deeply regrets to announce the loss of five of our gallant personnel who were involved in a tragic road traffic accident on 22 October 2024.

“The unfortunate incident occurred around Hawan Kibo along the Jos-Akwanga Express Road. Our personnel were heading for a sporting event in Abuja when their vehicle was involved in a collision with an oncoming truck.

“Consequently, the statutory administrative protocols applicable in circumstances such as this have been activated by the NAF to provide comfort and support to the bereaved families.

“We appeal to the public to respect the privacy of the victims’ families during this difficult time and to refrain from sharing unverified details. May their souls rest in perfect peace.”

A staff member at Riyom Trauma Hospital where the deceased were taken confirmed that the victims’ corpses were brought to the hospital.

According to the staff, some of the bodies were unidentified due to mutilation, adding that they have been taken to a morgue in Jos due to power challenge in the hospital.

The official said, “All victims brought to us had already died. Some bodies were unidentifiable due to severe mutilation. All corpses have been transferred to a mortuary in Jos due to the electricity challenge in Riyom.”

The staff member added that the vehicle involved was travelling from Adamawa State to Abuja when the accident occurred.

Hawan Kibo had experienced recurring accidents due to the poor condition of the road, prompting citizens to lament about the situation.

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has described the incident as a profound tragedy in a heartfelt statement issued by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere.

“The incident is a profound tragedy, and the governor expressed his sincere sympathy to the bereaved families, the Governor of Adamawa State, the Chief of the Air Staff, and all those affected by the painful event. The Governor prayed that such a heart-wrenching occurrence would not be repeated.

“Governor Mutfwang also commended the prompt and courageous response of the Special Task Force (STF), Federal Road Safety Corps, and local volunteers who made concerted efforts to rescue the passengers despite the tragic outcome.

“The accident, which took place on Monday, involved an 18-seater bus that, due to brake failure, collided with a stationary trailer undergoing roadside repairs,” the statement added.

In a related development, many players of the Kano Pillars FC U-19 team sustained injuries in a road accident on Tuesday.

They were en route to the New Jos Stadium for their Matchday 5 fixture in the inaugural U-19 Youth League against Plateau United U-19.

According to the media directorate of the team, several players and the driver sustained injuries in the accident and have been taken to the hospital for medical attention.

“Thankfully, no fatalities have been reported at this time, and the medical team is closely monitoring the situation.

“We extend our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to everyone affected and will provide further updates as more information becomes available.”