A FRESH wave of concerns over road safety and tanker transportation regulations has emerged following a devastating explosion in the Karu area of Abuja, which left at least ten people dead and dozens hospitalised.
The tragedy, which occurred during peak hours on Wednesday night, has sparked calls for urgent reforms to prevent similar disasters.
The Explainer gathered that President Bola Tinubu responded by ordering a thorough investigation into the incident.
His Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the directive in a statement on Thursday, emphasising the President’s commitment to addressing the root causes of the explosion.
Onanuga stated, “The President condoled with family members who lost loved ones in the inferno, which happened at the peak hour. President Tinubu ordered priority treatment of the injured in various medical facilities in the capital city. The President directed security agencies, particularly those concerned with road safety, to pay closer attention to traffic around the capital city’s entry and exit points.”
The Explainer learnt that the explosion, which involved a tanker and multiple vehicles, was reportedly triggered by brake failure, compounded by poor road conditions. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as the fuel-laden truck lost control, crashing into several cars before igniting into flames.
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Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike also intervened, pledging to cover the medical expenses of survivors.
His Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, confirmed that the minister directed the FCT Health and Environment Mandate Secretary, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, to oversee the victims’ treatment.
Olayinka disclosed, “On my directive, the Mandate Secretary on Health and Environment, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, was in Asokoro District Hospital till this morning and was among the medical personnel who attended to the 17 casualties brought to the hospital. After initial stabilisation, seven of the 17 casualties received were referred to the National Hospital, six with minor injuries were treated successfully, and three with severe burns and inhalation and crush injuries are currently receiving treatment. However, one of the casualties with third-degree burns passed away while being resuscitated.”
The Explainer gathered that emergency responders, including the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the FCT Emergency Management Department, were deployed to the scene.
Reports confirmed that ten people lost their lives, while at least 30 others suffered significant burns and trauma.
A recent analysis indicates that between January 2010 and January 2025, there were over 2,500 tanker crashes resulting in approximately 3,445 fatalities. Additionally, The Guardian reported that in a special patrol conducted from December 15, 2024, to January 15, 2025, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) recorded 531 crashes, 169 fatalities, 287 serious injuries, and 75 minor injuries.
Analysts attribute these tragedies to a combination of poor vehicle maintenance, inadequate enforcement of safety regulations, and deteriorating road infrastructure. The FRSC has expressed concern over the alarming rate of crashes and fatalities, especially those resulting from individuals scooping petroleum products from crashed tankers. Efforts are being made to address these issues, including partnerships between the FRSC and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to find lasting solutions to tanker accidents and associated fatalities.
Statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) indicates that the total number of road traffic crashes in Q1 2024 was 2,662, with serious cases accounting for 1,715 incidents.
Also, the total number of road traffic crashes in Q4 2023 was 2,717, with serious cases accounting for 1,772 incidents.
Meanwhile, Wike urged road users, particularly heavy-duty vehicle drivers, to adhere strictly to traffic regulations. “This accident was avoidable. If we do not enforce compliance with road safety rules, we will continue to lose lives needlessly,” he lamented.
