At least 20 people have died in a multi-vehicle accident along the Hawan Kibo-Jos route in Plateau State.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said the crash occurred at about 3:32pm on Friday, shortly after Sopp Water Falls.

According to Osondu Ohaeri, FRSC corps public education officer, 25 people were involved in the crash, comprising 23 males and two females. Five people sustained injuries, while 20 males died.

Four vehicles were involved in the accident — a Howo Sino truck with registration number AGL 525 YN, a Toyota Corolla with registration number AB 129 M, a Toyota Hummer bus operated by Yankari Express, and a motorcycle whose registration details were unavailable.

The FRSC said preliminary findings indicated brake failure and loss of control as suspected causes of the crash.

The injured victims were evacuated to Ryom General Hospital and Vom Christian Hospital, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the Jos University Teaching Hospital mortuary.

FRSC rescue personnel subsequently cleared the wreckage and restored traffic along the affected section of the highway.

Shehu Mohammed, FRSC Corps Marshal, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and directed the agency’s crash investigation team to determine the circumstances surrounding the accident, including the reported brake failure and loss of control.

He urged motorists to exercise greater caution, stressing that no journey was important enough to endanger lives.