Information obtained by 9News Nigeria reveals that barely 24 hours after a devastating accident claimed 10 lives and engulfed multiple vehicles in flames, another tanker accident occurred on Thursday at Karu Bridge along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway.
The latest incident, which resulted in two deaths, nearly escalated into another disaster, but the swift intervention of the Federal Fire Service averted a potential explosion.
Confirming the incident, Controller General of the Federal Fire Service, Jaji Abduganiyu, who was at the scene, confirmed the tragic loss of two lives in the fresh accident.
He explained that a trailer carrying fertilizer lost its brakes and overturned, blocking the already congested highway, further worsening the situation at the site of Wednesday’s explosion.
While responding to the incident, he said his operatives identified a looming catastrophe a fuel tanker caught in the gridlock had begun leaking its highly flammable content onto the hot asphalt under the scorching sun.
“The potential for an explosion was high, especially with other vehicles in the vicinity that could ignite the volatile fuel,” Abduganiyu stated.
Recognizing the imminent danger, he said his men quickly deployed foam compound over the fuel spill, successfully containing the threat and preventing another deadly inferno.
“This quick and decisive action by my dogged firefighters undoubtedly saved lives and kept the situation from spiraling into an even greater disaster,” the Fire Service boss added.
He extended condolences to the victims’ families and emphasised the need for heightened caution, particularly in high-risk zones like the Abuja-Keffi corridor.
“So far, over 30 victims have sustained varying degrees of burns, with some transferred to Gwagwalada Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Centre Keffi, and Cedarcrest Hospital, Abuja, for intensive care,” he stated.
Abduganiyu reaffirmed the Federal Fire Service’s commitment to swift emergency responses, ensuring that such tragedies do not escalate into even worse consequences.
