At least five officers of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) were included among the 19 individuals who tragically perished in a vehicular accident at Hawan Kibo, located in the Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, on Tuesday.
According to a statement from NAF spokesman, Olusola Akinboyewa, the tragic event took place near 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, statutory administrative protocols applicable in circumstances as the NAF has activated this to provide comfort and succour to the bereaved families,” the statement reads.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) provided an additional accident account.
According to the Corps, the incident transpired when an 18-passenger Hiace bus, en route from Yola to Abuja via Jos, collided with a stationary articulated vehicle on the highway, resulting in the fatalities of both the driver and all 18 passengers.
Peter Longsan, a spokesperson for the FRSC in the state, informed Channels Television via telephone that the tragic accident claimed the lives of all passengers involved.
Longsan attributed the incident to excessive speed, which caused the bus to collide forcefully with the articulated vehicle, leaving no survivors.
He noted that the manifest retrieved from the vehicle confirmed that there were 18 passengers aboard, in addition to the driver of the ill-fated bus.
He also mentioned that the remains of the victims have been taken to a mortuary, and FRSC personnel have successfully removed the wreckage from the highway.
