A fuel-laden tanker exploded on Shehu Shagari Way in Maitama, a prominent area of Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, on Monday, September 23, creating widespread panic.
The incident occurred when a tanker, registered as T20 146 LA and fully loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), collided with a Toyota Sienna space bus at the Imani roundabout, leading to a massive fire.
Witnesses reported flames shooting into the sky as motorists abandoned their vehicles in a desperate bid to escape the blaze. The explosion caused significant traffic congestion, affecting several nearby roads, including those leading to Farmers Market, Nicon Hilton Hotel, MTN, and Chicken House.
According to a spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, patrol teams from Maitama, Wuse, and the Central Police Station, along with operatives from the Federal Fire Service, quickly responded to the scene to assist with rescue efforts and extinguish the flames.
While no fatalities were reported, three individuals—Idris Mohammed, Suleiman Gimba, and Adamu Isiayku—sustained injuries and were promptly transported to Maitama District Hospital for treatment.
The spokesperson confirmed that the situation has been brought under control, thanks to the coordinated efforts of the police and fire service personnel, who successfully managed to contain and extinguish the fire.
