Presidency Refutes Claims Linking CNG Cylinder To Abuja Explosion
On Wednesday, SaharaReporters that an unspecified number of people had reportedly died following a powerful explosion caused by an auto crash on Karu Bridge in Abuja.
The Bola Tinubu Presidency has dismissed reports claiming that a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) cylinder was responsible for the devastating explosion in Karu, Abuja on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, SaharaReporters that an unspecified number of people had reportedly died following a powerful explosion caused by an auto crash on Karu Bridge in Abuja.
According to eyewitnesses, the explosion occurred after a high-impact collision involving a vehicle suspected to be a truck transporting fuel or a highly flammable substance.
Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports say the explosion was caused by CNG in one of the affected vehicles.
However, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, shared a statement and a one-minute video clip on X showing the intact CNG cylinder at the scene, contradicting earlier reports.
Onanuga emphasised that the CNG cylinder did not explode and was not the cause of the tragic explosion.
Onanuga wrote: “Here is the CNG cylinder in the cement truck that ran into a petrol tanker that exploded in Karu, Abuja, on Wednesday night.
“Contrary to earlier reports, the CNG cylinder was recovered intact. It did not explode. And it was not the cause of the tragic explosion.”
This clarification comes amid concerns about the safety of CNG vehicles following the incident.
Earlier, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command confirmed that the road accident near Nyanya Bridge in Abuja claimed the lives of six people and left 14 vehicles engulfed in flames.
The incident occurred around 6:58 PM on Wednesday when a Dangote trailer, heavily loaded with cement, lost control while approaching Nyanya Bridge from AYA and crashed into stationary vehicles trapped in traffic.
The impact triggered a massive inferno, causing widespread panic as bystanders and motorists scrambled for safety.
“The FCT Police Command deeply regrets to confirm a devastating motor vehicle accident that occurred today, March 19, 2025, at about 6:58 PM before Nyanya Bridge,” said SP Josephine Adeh, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer.
“A distress call was received by Karu Division reporting a horrifying scene—a Dangote 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 fourteen 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.”
Here is the CNG cylinder in the cement truck that ran into a petrol tanker that exploded in Karu, Abuja, on Wednesday night. Contrary to earlier reports, the CNG cylinder was recovered intact. It did not explode. And it was not the cause of the tragic explosion. pic.twitter.com/H0HdRwm6OX
— Bayo Onanuga (@aonanuga1956) March 20, 2025
