Nigeria: Eight injured as brake failure causes commercial bus crash in Plateau

By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria

JOS — Eight passengers sustained injuries on Wednesday afternoon after a commercial Sharon bus suffered brake failure and crashed in Pankshin Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The bus was traveling from Namu in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area to Jos when it reportedly lost control around 3:00pm and crashed.

A resident of Pankshin, Rotkang Amos, told Vanguard that more than eight passengers were onboard at the time.

“One woman sustained serious injuries and was taken to the General Hospital in Pankshin, while others sustained minor injuries,” Amos said.

Route Commander Peter Longsan, Public Education Officer of the FRSC Plateau State Command, said preliminary investigations pointed to brake failure as the cause of the crash.

“The crash actually happened. Preliminary findings indicate that it was caused by brake failure. The victims were passengers returning from the market,” Longsan said.

He explained that by the time FRSC officials arrived at the scene, members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, had already evacuated the injured because the driver was one of their members.

The victims were taken to Cottage Hospital in Chip and other nearby health facilities for treatment. Because of the early evacuation, Longsan said the FRSC could not immediately confirm the exact number of casualties

Longsan urged motorists to ensure their vehicles are in good mechanical condition before embarking on trips, with special attention to braking systems.

“Regular checks can make the difference between a safe journey and a tragedy,” he said.

The crash adds to growing concerns about road safety and vehicle maintenance on major routes linking rural communities in Plateau to Jos, the state capital. Authorities say most crashes in the area are linked to mechanical faults, speeding, and poor road conditions.