Fourteen people have been injured after a truck carrying both human passengers and cows fell off an overhead bridge at the Secretariat Junction in Jos, Plateau State.
The truck, which was traveling from Adamawa State to Lagos, lost control while on the bridge and plunged to the road below on Thursday night.
Eyewitnesses said the crash was severe, causing multiple injuries and heavy damage to the vehicle. Although the exact cause of the accident is still being investigated, authorities suspect that speeding and reckless driving may have played a role.
The Plateau State Sector Commander for the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Maxwell Lede, confirmed the incident in a preliminary report released on Friday.
He stated that the truck, with registration number NSK523ZY, was driven by Muhammad Mandir Yusuf and was carrying 32 people along with cows when the accident happened.
“A road traffic crash involving an articulated vehicle (trailer) loaded with humans and animals (cows) has occurred at the Secretariat Junction of Jos Metropolis. No death was recorded,” Lede said.
“However, 14 people were rescued to hospitals with various degrees of injury. The crash has affected traffic flow on the outward service lane that connects the Secretariat to the express, while the left lane connecting the roundabout under the flyover is partially affected, thereby narrowing the lane.”
He added that traffic in the area was obstructed, and the affected road section had to be temporarily closed.
“Men of the FRSC and NPF are right on the ground, managing traffic situations to avoid secondary crashes and traffic gridlock, while frantic efforts are on towards total clearance of the obstruction. So far, there is no cause for alarm,” Lede assured.
The injured victims were taken to Plateau State Specialist Hospital, Bingham University Teaching Hospital, and Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) for treatment.
Emergency responders, including the FRSC ambulance rescue team and the Nigeria Police Force, worked together to transport the victims and manage the scene.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the accident.
