A devastating accident occurred on Monday morning along the Zaria-Kaduna Expressway in the Dan Magaji area when two tankers collided and exploded, leaving four people hospitalized with varying degrees of burns. The accident happened around 8:30 am, involving a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)-laden tanker and an empty tanker. According to eyewitnesses, the explosion was so loud it could be heard several kilometers away, with some residents initially fearing a terrorist attack.
Preliminary investigations by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) revealed that the LNG tanker rammed into the back of the empty tanker after the latter suffered a sudden tyre puncture. The driver of the LNG tanker reportedly could not stop in time, leading to the collision and subsequent explosion. The FRSC Unit Commander in Zaria, Nasir Falgore, emphasized the importance of tanker drivers exercising greater caution, especially when transporting hazardous materials. “Drivers should conduct pre-trip inspections, avoid overspeeding, and maintain safe following distances,” Falgore advised.
The Federal Fire Service in Zaria responded swiftly to the incident, mobilizing trucks and personnel within minutes. Area Commander Aminu Kiyawa said, “By the time we got to the scene, both tankers were already on fire. Our priority was to rescue any trapped victims and prevent the fire from spreading.” The fire service team used specialized foam and water in calculated bursts to cool the tankers while preventing further explosions. Three victims sustained burns from the LNG tanker explosion, while another person was rescued from the second tanker, and all four were rushed to ABUTH, Shika, for medical attention.
This accident highlights the recurring safety concerns on Nigeria’s highways, particularly the Zaria-Kaduna expressway, which has become a hotspot for tanker-related accidents. In 2021, a petrol tanker explosion along the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway claimed at least seven lives, and another incident in Makarfi Local Government in 2023 left three dead and several injured. Residents and commercial drivers have lamented reckless driving, overloaded tankers, and poor road discipline as contributing factors to these tragedies.
A volunteer from the Red Cross in Zaria, who assisted in evacuating victims, emphasized the need for better coordination and more emergency stations along high-risk areas like Dan Magaji. “Sometimes, by the time help arrives, the fire has already consumed everything,” he said, underscoring the importance of prompt emergency response in saving lives.
