Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and 15 other civilians died on Tuesday in an auto crash at Hawan Kibo in the Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
This was announced in a press statement issued by NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa.
The statement reads: “The unfortunate incident occurred around Hawan Kibo along the Jos-Akwanga Express Road.
“Our personnel were heading for a sporting event in Abuja when their vehicle collided with an oncoming truck.
“Consequently, statutory administrative protocols applicable in circumstances as this have been activated by the NAF to provide comfort and succour to the bereaved families.”
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A spokesperson for the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in the state, Peter Longsan added that the accident involved an 18-passenger Hiace bus travelling from Yola through Jos to Abuja ran into a stationary articulated vehicle on the highway leading to the death of the driver and all the 18 passengers.
Longsan blamed the tragedy on high speed which led to the impact of the bus on the articulated vehicle, leaving no survivor.
He stated that the manifest recovered from the vehicle indicated that 18 passengers were on board alongside the driver of the ill-fated vehicle.
He said the remains of the victims have been deposited at a mortuary and FRSC personnel have cleared the wreckage of the vehicles from the highway.
In a similar report, the U-19 team bus of a Nigerian Football Club, Kano Pillars FC were also involved in an accident on Tuesday morning.
This had been disclosed in a press statement issued by the team’s media department, which said that several players and the team’s driver were injured and currently hospitalised.
The statement added that the incident happened while the team was travelling to Jos, Plateau State to honour Plateau United U-19.
The statement reads: “It is with deep sadness that we announce that the Kano Pillars FC U-19 team bus was involved in a road accident earlier today(Tuesday)while en route to the New Jos Stadium for their Matchday 5 fixture in the inaugural U-19 Youth League against Plateau United U-19.
“Several players and the driver sustained injuries in the unfortunate incident and have been promptly taken to the hospital for medical attention. Thankfully, no fatalities have been reported at this time, and the medical team is closely monitoring the situation.
“We extend our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to everyone affected and will provide further updates as more information becomes available.”