Four dead as train collides with tricycle in Jos

Tragedy struck in Jos, the Plateau State capital, on Wednesday morning when a moving train collided with a commercial tricycle, commonly known as Keke NAPEP, along Ibrahim Alfa Road near the PHOTOTEK Roundabout, killing four people on the spot.

Eyewitnesses said the tricycle rider attempted to speed across the rail line despite repeated warnings and the train’s blaring horn.

The train reportedly hit the tricycle before it could clear the track, crushing it instantly.

“The train’s horn was loud and clear, but the Keke rider ignored it. Before anyone could intervene, the train struck and completely destroyed the tricycle,” recounted an eyewitness, Chioma Okezie.

The crash caused panic and heavy traffic in the area as onlookers and sympathizers gathered at the scene.

Security operatives later arrived to restore order and evacuate the victims’ remains.

Residents expressed grief over the avoidable loss of lives and called for stricter enforcement of safety measures and public awareness campaigns around railway crossings.

Reacting to the incident, Plateau State Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Davou Jatau, described the accident as “tragic and entirely avoidable.”

He explained that a railway flag bearer had stopped vehicles to allow the train to pass, but the tricycle rider ignored the signal.

“It is unfortunate that lives were lost. The flag bearer stopped all motorists, and they complied—except the tricycle rider, who defied both the warning and the train’s horn,” Jatau said.

He assured residents that the state government remains committed to ensuring road and rail safety, urging commercial transport operators to obey traffic rules and exercise greater caution.

Jatau added that officials from his ministry had met with community and youth leaders in Dogon Karfe, where the incident occurred, to maintain calm and prevent any unrest following the crash.