The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Fire Service has attributed Wednesday’s multiple explosions on the Abuja-Keffi expressway to a brake failure involving a truck transporting Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) canisters.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the FCT Fire Service Public Relations Officer, Ibrahim Mohammad, explained that the truck, which was heading towards Nyanya from AYA, lost control and crashed into several vehicles.
“The impact on the vehicles and the truck’s own CNG-loaded containers caused the canisters to be ejected, with some landing as far as 900 meters away, leading to explosions and fire,” Mohammad said.
He confirmed that the incident resulted in casualties but stated that the exact number was yet to be determined as rescue operations were still ongoing.
“Some vehicles were completely burned, and we need to thoroughly investigate whether people were trapped inside them. That is why the search continues even with searchlights,” he added.
Mohammad assured that once the search is concluded, authorities will disclose the official casualty figures. He also noted that both the Federal and FCT fire services, along with other emergency agencies, were actively working at the scene.