The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has confirmed six persons dead, and 14 vehicles burnt, following the explosion of a truck near Karu bridge, along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway on Wednesday evening.
The FCT Emergency Management Department (FEMD) noted that the accident happened around 7:14 pm when the truck, loaded with cement, crashed into stationary vehicles caught in traffic.
The impact caused a fiery explosion, spreading panic among motorists and bystanders. However, in an official statement, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, stated that the incident actually took place at 6:58 pm and involved a Dangote trailer.
The statement read, “The FCT Police Command deeply regrets to confirm a devastating motor vehicle accident that occurred today, March 19, 2025, at about 6:58 pm before Nyanya Bridge.
“A distress call was received by Karu Division reporting a horrifying scene—a Dangote trailer, heavily loaded with cement and approaching Nyanya Bridge from AYA, had lost control and crashed into stationary vehicles trapped in traffic.
“The impact engulfed fourteen vehicles in a raging inferno. Panic and chaos followed as bystanders and motorists scrambled for safety.
“Emergency responders rushed to the scene, battling thick smoke and intense heat to rescue those trapped.
“Six victims were pulled from the wreckage and rushed to the hospital, but tragically, they were confirmed dead by medical personnel on duty. Their remains have been deposited at Karu General Hospital Morgue.
“Police operatives, in collaboration with fire service personnel, other security agencies, and courageous individuals at the scene, contained the inferno, and normal traffic flow has been restored.”
Meanwhile, the Acting Director General of the FEMD, Abdulrahman Mohammed, expressed his condolences to the victims’ families. In a statement signed by the Head of Public Affairs, Nkechi Isa, the FEMD noted that the accident was caused by “an open-body trailer powered by Compressed Natural Gas.”
“Some of the victims were taken to the National Hospital, Asokoro Hospital, State House Clinic, Custom Hospital, and Nyanya General Hospital for treatment. Firefighters from the FCT Fire Service and Federal Fire Service were on the ground to contain the fire. Meanwhile, Engr Abdulrahman Mohammed has urged all drivers to exercise caution on the roads and obey traffic rules and regulations to prevent similar occurrences,” the statement read.
