The story of what happened in yesterday’s car crash that killed students at the University of Jos in Plateau State was told by one of the survivors.
“The accident occurred when we were coming back from a welcome-back party,” Dominic Dantala told our correspondent before the accident. Two busses were in operation; one carried the male pupils and the other the female students. Though they were practically side by side, the bus with the ladies was ahead of the other.
Our driver attempted to pass the bus ahead of us, but was unable to do so and slid back into his lane. A trailer slammed into our bus as he was attempting to get back into his lane. Dominic described the event as having occurred in that manner.
According to the Daily Trust, an accident happened at approximately 2am yesterday along the Zaria Road in Jos North Local Government Area of the state, killing eight students—mostly final year students—and critically wounding three others.
Tragically, the accident claimed the lives of numerous union officials from different departments of the university, including Comrade Miapkop Magnus, president of the UniJos chapter of the National Association of Plateau State Students (NAPSS), and Angelo Gyang Gokyo, president of the Faculty of Social Science Students’ Association (SOSSA).
Our correspondent was informed by Comrade Prince Miaphen, a former president of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), that the incident took place as the students were making their way back to their dormitories following a celebration for returning students.
Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Superintendent Route Commander, Public Education Officer Peter Yakubu Longsan verified the event, saying that eleven university students were on board the bus.
The FRSC reports that eyewitnesses blamed the driver’s speed and careless passing for the collision.
Longsan provided the following information: “On December 11, 2025, at approximately 2:30 in the morning, the FRSC, Plateau State Sector Command, received a distress call reporting a road traffic accident that had taken place across from Unity Bank on Zaria Road in Jos.”.
A bus and a trailer were both involved in the collision. It was reported that eleven individuals, all of whom were students at the University of Jos, were on the bus. There were seven individuals thought to be dead upon arrival; a doctor later confirmed their deaths; one more victim passed away while hospitalized, increasing the death toll to eight.
“At the moment, three more are being treated at the hospital. There were only male casualties. According to eyewitness testimony, the bus was traveling at a high speed when it lost control and crashed because the driver was engaging in wrongful overtaking. “In the meanwhile, we are conducting an investigation,” he said.
The news spread later yesterday evening that one of the three injured people had also passed away, bringing the total number of casualties to nine.
The news of their son’s death shocked the family, according to Christy Golton, an aunt of one of the victims, Angelo Gyang Gokyo, a 400L student.
We were not anticipating the arrival of death so soon, but unfortunately, our options are limited. Praying for him is all we can do right now. His deliverer, the God, has removed him. The family is deeply saddened by this loss. He is the second child and the last in the family. “Both of his parents were quite childless,” she remarked.
It is a great loss to the university – VC
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Prof. Tanko Ishaya, expressed sadness over the death of the students, describing the incident as unfortunate.
The vice chancellor sympathised with the families of those who lost their loved ones in the accident during a press briefing at the university on Thursday, just as he prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed.
An unfortunate incident claimed the lives of our students, he stated. I sympathise with the families and pray that God gives them the strength to go through this difficult time. We are together with the grieving families at this difficult time. We appeal to students and staff to pray for the souls of the deceased.”
The Students’ Union Government (SUG) expressed sorrow over the loss, stating that the incident has left a void in the university community, and described the students who lost their lives as bright souls whose memories will be cherished forever.
Oma Gabriel, the SUG Vice President of the university, in a telephone conversation with our correspondent, commiserated with the families of the victims, urging students to remain calm and united in this trying time.
She said “It is quite unfortunate. The death touches each and every one of us. Most of the victims are comrades. We are like family. The incident touches every aspect of the University of Jos. We are sending our heartfelt condolences to their families.”
Mutfwang condoles with university, families
Plateau State governor, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, said he received the death of the students with profound shock.
In a statement by the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the governor, Gyang Bere, Governor Mutfwang “described the passing of the young, vibrant, and promising students as a colossal loss to their families, the University of Jos, the wider student community, Plateau State, and the nation at large.
He said the news was devastating and that the government is sad over the incident.
“He prayed for recovery of those injured and directed the Commissioner for Health to ensure that they receive prompt and comprehensive medical attention. Governor Mutfwang also assured the bereaved families of the government’s full support towards giving the deceased students a dignified and befitting burial.
“He instructed the Commissioner for Youth and Sports and the Special Adviser on Youth Mobilisation to actively liaise with the affected families, student bodies, and the university in preparations for the burial”, the statement added.
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