A conflagration was averted in Jos when a tanker laden with premium motor spirit (PMS), or petrol, lost control and rammed into cars and bystanders.

The incident, which happened on Sunday night at the popular Polo Roundabout, near Gada Biu, caused a traffic jam along the busy Jos-Zaria road.

Two people were confirmed dead while 16 others received various degrees of injuries.

According to the Superintendent Route Commander, Public Education Officer FRSC Plateau, SRC Peter Y Longsan, the incident happened at St Louis Catholic Church, as the tanker lost its brakes while descending from Hill Station junction.

The driver, who could not control the vehicle, found solace in some cars equally descending from the same direction, colliding and crushing them in the process.

Longsan, in the statement which he signed on behalf of the sector commander, said joint security officers immediately cordoned off the area and fire was averted.

In the statement entitled “Another Conflagration Averted In Jos Metropolis”, Longsan said: “As people are still basking in the spirit of the yuletide, FRSC Officers and Men are busy on the road to ensure safe movement of road users.

“Another road traffic crash occurred around St Louis College near the Polo Field Club Roundabout on 28th December 2025 involving a laden tanker and five other vehicles. The crash was reported to the FRSC at about 1849 hours (6:49 pm) who immediately went for the rescue.

“18 people were involved, 2 male adults died on the spot, 16 others who suffered various degrees of injury were taken to Plateau State Specialist Hospital and Bingham University Teaching Hospital (BUTH). The corpses of the deceased were deposited at BUTH.

“Eye witnesses reported that the tanker lost brakes immediately after the Plateau State Specialist Hospital Roundabout and kept descending until it finally crashed and rested on vehicles to take a stationary position.

“In order to avert conflagration, sister agencies mobilised themselves and put hands on deck, cordoned the vicinity, and diverted traffic to ensure the safety of road users. The effort was also to bar economic saboteurs from making any attempt to loot.

“Thankfully there was no spillage of the content of the tanker, as the risk of fire outbreak became low.

“The sister agencies present at the scene included the Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigerian Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, Officers and Men of Operation Rainbow, Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), the Nigerian Army, Federal Fire Service, the Vehicle Inspection Officers, and the men of the Nigerian Red Cross Society.

“The content of the petroleum product was safely transloaded, all the vehicles involved have been safely removed and all obstructions cleared. The operation lasted into midnight, as this morning the road was clear, road users can go about their business.

“The Sector Commander FRSC Plateau Corps Commander Olajide E Mogaji appreciates all that contributed to the success of the operations, he further appreciated the existing strategic synergy, partnership and collaboration within the stakeholders and the enjoyed cooperation with the community in order to ensure safety for all, as road safety is everybody’s business.

“He finally enjoined road users to call the FRSC emergency number 122 to report road traffic crash or other road emergencies for immediate intervention as he wishes Nigerians to further avoid distractions and take responsibility for their actions and inactions on the road. He thereafter urged all road users to stay safe and be a defensive road user into the New Year.” (The Sun)

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