Police confirm six dead, 14 vehicles burnt in Abuja truck explosion

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has confirmed six persons dead, and 14 vehicles burnt, following the explosion of a truck near Karu bridge, along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway on Wednesday evening.

Validview network reports that the FCT Emergency Management Department confirmed that the incident occurred at 7:14 pm, when the truck lost control and ran into other vehicles, resulting in an explosion and a raging fire.

However, in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh, on Wednesday night, the police said the incident occurred at 6:58 pm, adding that the incident involved a Dangote trailer, loaded with cement which lost control and crashed into stationary vehicles trapped in traffic, while approaching Nyanya Bridge from AYA.

Adeh said the impact engulfed 14 vehicles, adding that six victims were pulled from the wreckage and rushed to the hospital, but were confirmed dead by medical personnel on duty.

The statement read, “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.

“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.

“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 extended its condolences to the families and victims of the accident while assuring the public that investigations were underway to determine the cause of the accident.

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It asked residents and members of the public to exercise caution and adhere to speed limits while driving, to prevent the reoccurrence of such tragedies.

Meanwhile, the Ag. Director General of the FEMD, Abdulrahman Mohammed, has also commiserated with families and victims of the accident.

In a statement signed by the Head of Public Affairs, Nkechi Isa, on Thursday, the FEMD said the accident “claimed several lives and destroyed multiple vehicles”, adding that the incident was caused by “an open-body trailer powered by Compressed Natural Gas.”

“Some of the victims were taken to the National Hospital, Asokoro Hospital, State House Clinic, Custom Hospital, and Nyanya General Hospital for treatment.

“Firefighters from the FCT Fire Service and Federal Fire Service were on the ground to contain the fire. Meanwhile, Engr Abdulrahman Mohammed has urged all drivers to exercise caution on the roads and obey traffic rules and regulations to prevent similar occurrences,” the statement read