Inferno Narrowly Missed As Fuel Tanker Crushes 5 Vehicles In Jos
A potentially catastrophic fire incident was prevented in Jos, Plateau State, after a fully loaded fuel tanker lost control on a downhill stretch, collided with vehicles, and caused fatalities and injuries, triggering hours of emergency containment. The crash happened at 6:49 p.m. on December 28, 2025, near St. Louis College, close to the Polo Roundabout on the Jos–Zaria road, leaving the city gridlocked for hours.
The Federal Road Safety Corps confirmed that two male adults died instantly, while 16 injured victims were evacuated to two major hospitals in the state. Initial public fears of an explosion spread rapidly due to the tanker’s cargo, but responders confirmed there was no fuel leakage, preventing combustion risks. Officials clarified that the tanker’s brakes failed shortly after the Plateau Specialist Hospital Roundabout, sending the heavy vehicle speeding downhill until it rammed into five vehicles, which eventually stopped its movement.
A coalition of security and emergency agencies—including FRSC, the Police, Nigerian Army, NSCDC, Operation Rainbow, Federal Fire Service, Red Cross, and local vigilantes—quickly cordoned off the area, diverted traffic, and ensured safety while preventing opportunistic looting. The tanker’s petrol content was transloaded without incident, and the vehicles involved were cleared overnight, restoring free movement by Monday morning.
FRSC officials emphasised that sudden brake failure in heavy-duty vehicles remains a recurring threat on sloping corridors in urban centres, where runaway trucks often depend on impact barriers or vehicles to halt their descent. Mogaji urged the public to adopt defensive road practices, avoid distractions during travel, prioritise rest, and promptly report crashes through emergency channels for faster intervention. The incident has reignited safety concerns around tanker maintenance compliance, enforcement of brake safety checks, and rapid response capacity on high-risk routes.
