Tragedy at Karu Bridge: Explosion from CNG Truck Raises Safety Concerns Over FG’s Push for Alternative Fuel

There was a fire explosion at Karu Bridge near Nyanya Market on Tuesday, March 19, 2025, after a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) truck lost control and exploded, destroying dozens of vehicles and leaving several people feared dead.

The incident has raised concerns about the Federal Government’s ongoing push for Nigerians to switch to CNG-powered vehicles as a cost-saving alternative to petrol and diesel.

According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred at approximately 7:14 p.m. when the CNG-powered truck lost control and crashed into other cars, causing a massive explosion that engulfed vehicles, trapped commuters, and triggered widespread panic among residents.

The tragic accident has sparked fears over the safety of CNG-powered trucks on Nigerian roads, with many questioning whether adequate safety measures have been put in place to prevent such disasters.

Emergency response teams, including personnel from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD), and the Fire Service, rushed to the scene to contain the blaze and rescue victims.

In an official statement, signed by FEMD’s Head of Public Affairs and Head of Forecasting, Response, and Mitigation, Nkechi Isa, and Mark Nyam, respectively, said:

“A ghastly motor accident has occurred at the Karu Bridge, between Kugbo and Nyanya in the FCT. The accident, which happened at about 7:14 this evening, involved a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) truck and several other vehicles.”

“The incident was triggered when the driver of the CNG truck lost control on the bridge, colliding with other motorists and leading to a massive explosion.”

The explosion has fuelled citizens’ concerns over the government’s promotion of CNG as a safer and cheaper alternative to petrol.

While the initiative is meant to ease the financial burden on Nigerians, incidents like this raise questions about the safety of CNG-powered heavy-duty trucks and whether proper regulations and infrastructure are in place to support the transition.

In an interview with Kristina Reports, witnesses described the incident as a nightmare as flames engulfed cars and commercial buses, with people scrambling for safety.

“I was just a few meters away when I heard a loud bang. Suddenly, there was fire everywhere. People were running and screaming. It happened so fast,” said Ibrahim Musa, a commuter who narrowly escaped.

A local trader, Amaka Eze, who lost her roadside shop in the fire, expressed her devastation: “I lost everything, while people were running, they hit my goods, you won’t believe that some people still stole from me while all this was going on. I don’t know how I will recover from this.”

Another eyewitness, Daniel Okoro, recounted his frantic escape: “The flames spread so fast. I saw people trapped in their cars, horning for help, but there was nothing anyone could do. It was heartbreaking.”

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident to determine the full extent of the damage and to establish liability. Meanwhile, the Federal Capital Territory Administration has emphasized the need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations for vehicles transporting hazardous materials.

As Nigeria moves towards alternative fuel options, it is important for the government to ensure that adequate safety measures, driver training, and vehicle maintenance standards are enforced to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Residents have been urged to exercise caution while traveling along the Abuja-Keffi Road and to cooperate with emergency responders as efforts continue to assess and mitigate the aftermath of this tragic event.

More updates to follow as the situation develops. More updates to follow on Kristina Reports as the situation develops.