Eight students from the University of Jos lost their lives in a devastating road crash that occurred in the early hours of Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, along Zaria Road in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. The accident, which took place around 2:30 a.m., involved a trailer and a bus carrying 11 students returning from a night outing.
According to Peter Longsan, the public education officer for the Federal Road Safety Corps in Plateau State, seven students died at the scene while another succumbed to injuries at the hospital. Three others remain hospitalized receiving treatment. All victims were male students of the institution.
“The crash involved two vehicles, a trailer and a bus. 11 people were on board the bus and were said to be students of the University of Jos,” Longsan stated. “On arrival, seven people were suspected to be dead on the spot, and they were eventually certified dead by a doctor. Another victim later died in the hospital, bringing the total number of deceased to eight.”
Eyewitness accounts indicate the bus was traveling at excessive speed and engaged in wrongful overtaking, which led to the driver losing control and causing the fatal collision. The students were returning from a social gathering when the incident occurred in the Jos North Local Government Area.
One survivor, Dominic Dantala, provided a detailed account of the moments leading to the crash. He explained that two buses were transporting students from the event, with one carrying female students in front and another with male students following behind. As their driver attempted to overtake the lead bus but failed to complete the maneuver, a trailer traveling from behind struck their vehicle while the driver was returning to his lane. The impact caused the bus to crash into an electric pole near the Farin Gada bridge area.
The trailer driver fled the scene following the accident, prompting police to launch a manhunt for the individual. Road safety experts note that hit-and-run incidents complicate investigations and prevent immediate accountability for traffic violations that result in fatalities.
Olajide Mogaji, the FRSC Plateau Sector Commander, issued a stern warning to motorists about dangerous driving practices that contribute to fatal crashes. He urged drivers to avoid night trips, excessive speed, dangerous driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and operating vehicles while fatigued or unwell. These factors represent the leading causes of road traffic deaths across Nigeria, particularly during holiday seasons when social activities increase.
“The government needs you alive and wants you to enjoy life to the fullest this festive season and beyond,” Mogaji emphasized, calling on members of the public to report crashes or road emergencies by dialing the FRSC toll-free emergency number 122.
Prof. Tanko Ishaya, vice chancellor of the University of Jos, confirmed the loss of eight students during a press briefing held on campus. The university community has been thrown into mourning following the tragic incident that claimed the lives of promising young scholars.
Student leaders at the university were among those who died in the accident. Comrade Miapkop Magnus, president of the National Association of Plateau State Students UniJos chapter, and Angelo Gyang Gokyo, president of the Faculty of Social Science Students’ Association, were among the victims. Both held prominent positions in student governance and were well-known figures within the university community.
Plateau State Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang directed support for the injured students. Through Joyce Ramnap, the state commissioner for information and communication, the government expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased students, the University of Jos community, and all those affected by the incident.
The loss is not only devastating to the families but also to the entire state, as the young people represented hope, potential, and the bright future of Plateau, according to the government statement. State officials pledged to offer necessary support to affected families as they navigate this difficult period.
Road traffic accidents remain a significant public health concern in Nigeria, with speeding, reckless overtaking, and inadequate vehicle maintenance contributing to thousands of preventable deaths annually. The festive season typically sees an increase in such incidents as more people travel for social events and family gatherings. Safety advocates continue to stress the importance of defensive driving, proper vehicle maintenance, and adherence to traffic regulations to reduce the toll of road accidents.
The University of Jos community remains in mourning as students, faculty, and staff process the sudden loss of eight promising young lives. Campus officials have encouraged students to remain calm and united during this period of grief while investigations into the crash continue. Authorities are working to determine the full circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.