A heavy-duty truck transporting bottled water met with an accident on Saturday at Hawan-Kibo, situated along the Jos-Abuja highway. The lone accident resulted in scores of motorists and commuters experiencing an unprecedented traffic gridlock.
Confirming the incident, Mr. Peter Longsan, the Public Education Officer of the Plateau Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos that the accident happened around 4:00 p.m. The tanker fell across the highway, obstructing both lanes of traffic.
“A water tanker fell on the highway around Hawan Kibo, Jos-Abuja road; it fell and crossed the road leaving a lot of motorists stranded. But our men are already on the ground, making frantic efforts to clear the road and ease traffic flow. We appeal to motorists to be patient and not panic; our men will soon clear the road,” Longsan stated.
Mr. Mohammed Suleiman, an eyewitness traveling from Jos to Abuja, reported that commuters had been stuck at the scene for several hours, with no vehicles moving from either direction.
“No vehicle is moving from both sides, those going to Abuja from Jos, and even those coming from the North East cannot go further. Ditto for those coming from Abuja either to Jos or the far north,” Suleiman described the situation.
However, he expressed hope as FRSC officials were mobilizing to remove the vehicle and alleviate the traffic congestion, providing some relief to the stranded passengers.
Hawan Kibo has been recognized as a frequent site for severe accidents, often involving heavy-duty vehicles navigating the hilly area. These accidents have led to tragic loss of life, usually involving multiple vehicles, due to the challenges encountered while ascending the terrain.
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