A massive explosion at Karu Bridge along the Abuja-Nyanya-Keffi Expressway has caused widespread disruption after a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) truck lost control and crashed into multiple vehicles, igniting a fire. Emergency responders are reportedly on the scene conducting rescue operations.
The accident occurred around 7:14 PM when the driver of the CNG truck reportedly lost control on the bridge, colliding with other motorists.
Eyewitnesses on social media platform X reported that a construction truck was involved, ramming into several cars before the fire erupted.
Thick plumes of smoke filled the air, causing panic among commuters.
Authorities have yet to confirm the number of casualties, but officials from the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Federal Fire Service, the FCT Fire Service, the Nigeria Police Force, and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have been deployed to contain the situation and rescue victims.
Head of FEMA’s Forecasting, Response, and Mitigation division, Mark Nyam, confirmed the ongoing operations, urging motorists and residents to avoid the area for safety reasons. The explosion has led to severe traffic congestion along the busy expressway, worsening the evening rush hour.
This incident follows a separate fuel tanker explosion near the same Karu Bridge, raising concerns over road safety and the transportation of hazardous materials within the Federal Capital Territory.
Last August, Nigerian government introduced a compressed natural gas initiative to tap its huge gas reserves — Africa’s largest — and roll out CNG buses while switching petrol-powered vehicles to use it.
More than 100,000 vehicles have been adapted to run on CNG or with the hybrid option of CNG and petrol, and at least $200m has been invested by the government under the initiative, according to its director, Michael Oluwagbemi.
The government aims to convert one million of Nigeria’s over 11 million vehicles in the next three years.
