Eight students from the University of Jos were killed in a road accident early Thursday, December 11, 2025, on Zaria Road in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. The accident occurred around 2:30 a.m. and involved a trailer and a bus transporting 11 students returning from a night outing.
Peter Longsan, the public education officer for the Federal Road Safety Corps in Plateau State, reported that seven students died at the scene, while another passed away at the hospital. Three students remain hospitalized. All victims were male students from the university.
“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.”
Witnesses reported that the bus was speeding and attempting to overtake improperly, leading to the driver losing control and causing the collision. The students were returning from a social event when the accident happened in the Jos North Local Government Area.
Dominic Dantala, a survivor, described the events leading to the crash. He noted that two buses were transporting students from the event, with the first carrying female students and the second carrying male students. As the driver of the second bus tried and failed to overtake the first bus, a trailer struck their vehicle as the driver returned to his lane. The impact caused the bus to hit an electric pole near the Farin Gada bridge area.
The trailer driver left the scene after the accident, prompting a manhunt. Road safety experts point out that hit-and-run incidents complicate investigations and delay accountability for traffic violations that cause fatalities.
Olajide Mogaji, FRSC, Plateau Sector Commander, warned motorists about risky driving behaviors that lead to fatal accidents. He advised drivers to avoid night trips, speeding, dangerous driving, and operating vehicles under the influence or while unwell. These are significant causes of road traffic deaths in Nigeria, especially during holidays, when social events increase.
“The government needs you alive and wants you to enjoy life to the fullest this festive season and beyond,” Mogaji emphasized, urging 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 deaths of eight students in a press briefing on campus. The university community is in mourning following the accident that claimed promising young lives.
Among those who died were student leaders at the university. 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 victims. Both were prominent in student governance and well-known in 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 condolences to the families of the deceased, the University of Jos community, and all affected by the incident.
The loss is deeply felt not only by the families but also by the entire state, as the young students represented hope and potential for Plateau, the government stated. State officials pledged to provide the necessary support for affected families during this difficult time.
Road traffic accidents are a significant public health issue in Nigeria, with speeding, reckless overtaking, and poor vehicle maintenance contributing to many preventable deaths each year. The festive season often sees an increase in such incidents due to heightened travel for social events. Safety advocates emphasize the need for defensive driving, proper vehicle maintenance, and adherence to traffic laws to reduce road accidents.
The University of Jos community is grieving as students, faculty, and staff process the sudden loss of eight young lives. Campus officials have urged students to remain calm and united during this period of mourning while investigations into the crash continue. Authorities are working to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.