ABUJA—The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Emergency Management Department, FEMD, has confirmed that 10 persons lost their lives in the Wednesday evening truck explosion that occurred at Karu bridge, along the Abuja – Keffi Expressway.
This came as President Bola Tinubu directed a thorough investigation into the tanker explosion that resulted in multiple accidents and loss of lives in Karu.
Also, wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has mourned victims of the tanker explosion.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has expressed grief over loss of lives in the tragic tanker explosion, noting that it adds to the scary upsurge of disastrous incidences that have persistently befallen the country due the worsened state of infrastructure under the current insensitive and inept All Progressives Congress, APC, administration.
Head Forecasting Response and Mitigation of FEMD, Mark Nyam said eight bodies were deposited at the Karu Hospital Morgue, one at the Asokoro District Hospital Morgue while another body was deposited at the National Hospital.
According to him, over 30 persons suffered various degrees of burns.
Some of the victims have been referred to Gwagwalada Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Centre,Keffi and Cedarcrest Hospital Abuja for proper care.
No fewer than 10 vehicles were burnt in the incident.
Head, Public Affairs of FEMD, Nkechi Isa in a statement said the acting Director General of the Department, Engr. Abdulrahman Mohammed again appealed to motorists to observe traffic rules and regulations.
“He cautioned against reckless driving, dangerous overtaking and poor maintenance of vehicles.
“Abdulrahman appealed to FCT residents to always use the 112 emergency toll free number in the event of an emergency,” she added.
Tinubu directs investigation into tanker explosion
A statement by the presidential spokesman, Mr Bayo Onanuga, explained that Tinubu ordered priority treatment of the injured in various medical facilities in the capital city.
It further said: “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.”
President Tinubu prayed for the souls of the departed and the grace of the Almighty God to comfort families that have lost their loved ones.
First Lady mourns victims
The First Lady, in a statement, yesterday, said: “I am deeply saddened by the unfortunate incident of the tanker explosion which occurred on March 19, 2025, by the Karu Bridge along the Abuja-Keffi Highway which led to the loss of many lives and property.
“I commiserate with the Minister of the FCT, Nyesome Wike, the families of the deceased and injured, the residents, affected business and property owners and the people of Abuja.
“I urge owners and drivers of vehicles, especially articulated vehicles, to ensure the road worthiness and good condition of their vehicles before putting them on the road to avert a reoccurrence of such incidences.
“I pray Almighty God grants the souls of the departed eternal rest and their family and friends the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss. To the injured, I wish them speedy recovery.”
PDP mourns the dead, blames APC
National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Debo Ologunagba, in a statement in Abuja, said current administration has continued to demonstrate utter disdain for the safety and wellbeing of Nigerians.
Ologunagba argued that, “This avoidable heartrending incident in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital sadly points to the general poor management of urban infrastructure and heightened insecurity in the Federal Capital Territory under the current APC government.
“Our party is saddened that due to the misgovernance of the APC administration, innocent Nigerians continue to perish with families in peril, anguish and devastation over the death of their breadwinners and loved one.
“The PDP calls on the Federal Government to institute a system-wide investigation into the Abuja explosion and similar incidences in other parts of the country and take urgent steps to ensure safer roads in our nation.
“The PDP salutes the efforts of rescue teams including the Police, Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, the Federal Fire Service, other agencies and patriotic Nigerians for their prompt intervention which helped to save the lives of many of the victims.
“Our party prays to God to grant speedy recovery to the injured and divine comfort to the families of the deceased.”
Residents tell scary tales
Meanwhile, eyewitnesses and residents, who spoke with our correspondent recounted harrowing experiences of people trapped in their vehicles as raging flames engulfed them.
An eyewitness, a vulcanizer who has his tools mounted on the road side for fast services, narrated a case of a child screaming as flames took over the vehicle until the child’s voice was no longer heard.
A night of horror —Returning civil servants laments
Tears, wails, and the acrid smell of burnt metal and flesh filled the air as residents and onlookers watched helplessly.
The explosion, which occurred about 6p.m., reportedly started when a fully loaded fuel tanker lost control and crashed into several vehicles during a traffic jam, sparking a fire that quickly escalated.
“It was like a scene from hell. People were screaming, banging on their car windows, begging for help, but no one could do anything. The fire was too intense,” said Mrs. Aisha Ibrahim.
Another witness, Mr. John Eze, recounted the horrifying last moments of some victims, saying: “I saw a man trying to break his windshield to escape, but the fire caught up with him. He was burnt right before our eyes. God have mercy.”
A proprietor, Pastor Ukanwa Reminjus whose house is a stone throw away from the accident scene, said: “This accident was too much for one night. It was very bad. I wasn’t at the scene. I was on my home. And each explosion that happened, shook the walls of my building. The total explosion was more than 10 and each explosion had a deeper impact like that of the bomb blast we experienced in 2014.”
‘No emergency rescue; Nigeria’s a failed state’
Amidst the chaos, many residents lamented the absence of emergency responders.
According to witnesses, neither firefighters nor medical teams arrived in time to rescue those trapped.
“For over 45 minutes, there was no single fire truck. We had to use buckets of sand and water in vain. This country has failed us. People died because there was no proper response.
“When emergency responders finally arrived, many felt it was too little, too late,” said Yusuf Abubakar, a commercial driver who narrowly escaped the blaze.
“By the time they came, all that was left were charred remains. How can a country be like this? Where is our government?” cried Joy Okonkwo, who lost a friend in the fire.
Demand for justice
Some residents called for justice and better safety measures for tanker drivers.
“This is not the first time we are witnessing such an incident in Nigeria.
“These reckless tanker drivers must be regulated, and our roads must be safer,” a trader Chief Emeka Nwosu.
Another resident, James Nwachukwu, complained about the reckless driving of some truck drivers, saying: “I don’t think the government is doing a good job in taming some of these truck drivers. These guys are not human beings. Many of them know that their brake is not good and may not function well when on speech, yet, they will be moving as if there are no humans on the road. The government must wake up and address this issue if not, we should be ready to see more of this around us.”
Another resident, Janet Albert said: “I was there live and I can tell you that many people died. I saw on the TV that it was just six people that died, that’s a lie. Many people died. Many cars got exploded and destroyed and many of those cars had people in them. Many of them were trapped.”
FCT Police confirm death of several people, damages
The Police, yesterday, confirmed that six people were killed and 15 vehicles impacted by the inferno.
The statement by FCT Police Command, Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh said: “A distress call was received by Karu Division reporting a horrifying scene, a 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 14 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.
“The FCT Police Command extends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and assures the public that a thorough investigation is underway to determine the cause of this disaster and prevent future occurrences.”
