Inferno on Abuja-Keffi Expressway: 10 Dead, Over 30 Injured in Tragic Trailer Explosion
A devastating trailer explosion at Karu Bridge, along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway, has left at least 10 people dead and over 30 injured in a tragic incident that rocked the Nigerian capital on Wednesday evening, March 19, 2025. The explosion, which resulted in multiple accidents and widespread panic, has prompted President Bola Tinubu to order an immediate investigation and stricter road safety enforcement.
A Night of Horror
The tragedy unfolded around 7:00 PM when a fully loaded Dangote Cement trailer lost control and plowed into multiple vehicles caught in traffic. The impact triggered a massive fireball, fueled by the truck’s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) cylinders, resulting in at least 10 powerful explosions that shook the area like an earthquake.
Survivors and eyewitnesses described horrifying scenes of people trapped inside burning vehicles, screaming for help. “It was like a scene from hell. People were banging on their car windows, begging to be saved, but the fire was too intense,” recalled Aisha Ibrahim, a resident of Karu. Another witness, John Eze, shared a heart-wrenching account: “I saw a man trying to break his windshield to escape, but the flames caught up with him. He was burned alive before our eyes.”
Authorities Weigh In
According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), FCT Fire Service, and the Nyanya Ward Councillor Mathew Danjuma Yare, the tragedy could have been avoided. Heavy-duty vehicles are banned from using the Abuja-Keffi expressway between 4 PM and 9 PM due to heavy traffic congestion, but the driver reportedly ignored stop signals from Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs) and attempted to evade arrest.
“In his attempt to flee, he lost control and crashed into multiple vehicles, leading to the catastrophic explosion,” Yare explained. The CNG-powered truck ignited almost instantly, setting off a deadly chain reaction of explosions.
Mark Nyam, Head of Forecasting, Response, and Mitigation at the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD), confirmed that eight bodies were taken to Karu Hospital Morgue, while Asokoro District Hospital and National Hospital each received one body. Over 30 individuals with severe burns were rushed to medical centers, including Gwagwalada Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Centre Keffi, and Cedarcrest Hospital Abuja.
Delayed Emergency Response Sparks Outrage
While authorities praised the swift response of the Fire Service, several residents and survivors criticized the delay in emergency intervention. “For over 45 minutes, there was no single fire truck. We had to use buckets of sand and water, but it was in vain. This country has failed us,” lamented Yusuf Abubakar, a commercial driver who barely escaped the inferno.
Another resident, Joy Okonkwo, decried the slow response: “By the time they came, all that was left were charred remains. How can a country be like this? Where is our government?”
Presidential Directive: Investigation and Stricter Regulations
In response to the tragedy, President Bola Tinubu has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident. Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga stated that Tinubu has directed security agencies to enhance road safety monitoring, particularly at Abuja’s entry and exit points.
“The President has instructed a full probe into the cause of this disaster and has mandated priority treatment for all injured victims,” Onanuga confirmed.
Meanwhile, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives, and the opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), condemned the incident, attributing it to the deteriorating state of national infrastructure under the current administration.
Recurring Tragedies and Calls for Reform
This is not the first time a catastrophic accident involving heavy-duty trucks has occurred on the Abuja-Keffi road. Despite the existing ban on these trucks during peak hours, reckless drivers continue to violate the restriction, putting lives at risk.
C.I. Mukhtar, the FCT Sector Commander of the FRSC, emphasized that stricter enforcement is the only solution to prevent further disasters. “We must ensure compliance with these restrictions. No country allows small vehicles and heavy-duty trucks to use the same road at the same time without consequences,” he stated.
Nyanya Ward Councillor Yare went further, calling on the Federal Government to construct physical barricades to prevent large trucks from accessing the expressway during restricted hours.
Aftermath: The Road to Recovery
By 9:00 AM the next day, emergency response teams, including the Fire Service, FRSC, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Red Cross, and Police, were still clearing the wreckage. The burnt cement trailer remained on the roadside, with its cargo still intact, as authorities worked to remove debris and restore normal traffic flow.
“We need to clear the cement first before our tow trucks can remove the wreckage,” the FRSC Sector Commander explained.
As the nation mourns the victims of this tragic explosion, many are calling for immediate and lasting reforms to prevent another avoidable disaster. Will this catastrophe finally spur real change, or will it become just another tragic footnote in Nigeria’s history of road accidents? Time will tell.
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