The FCT Fire Service (FFS) has revealed that a brake failure by a truck conveying Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) canisters led to Wednesday’s Abuja-Keffi expressway multiple explosions.

The FFS Public Relations Officer, Ibrahim Mohammad, confirmed this in an interview with the Newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mohammad said that the truck which was headed towards the Nyanya axis from AYA, lost control and in the process rammed into several vehicles along the route.

“And as a result of the impact on the vehicles and the impact of its own CNG-loaded containers, they started flying out of the truck and anywhere it landed, even about 900 meters away, there was an impact.

“The impact led to fire which resulted in casualties.

“Figures of casualties have not been given as rescue operation is still ongoing to see the number of lives that are involved

“Some vehicles that were burnt to ashes have to be thoroughly investigated whether people are trapped inside them and that is why search is still ongoing even with searchlights as we speak,” he said.

A petrol-laden tanker has exploded at Karu Bridge, near Nyanya, along the Abuja-Keffi Road, Abuja.

The incident has destroyed no fewer than 30 vehicles, raising fears of multiple casualties.

The explosion occurred when the tanker, carrying Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), lost control and crashed on the bridge, igniting a fire that rapidly spread to nearby vehicles.

A heavy presence of military personnel and emergency responders was observed at the scene.

Security officials have cordoned off the affected area, redirecting traffic to facilitate the operations of firefighting teams and medical personnel.

As of the time of this report, the exact number of casualties has yet to be confirmed. However, there are concerns over multiple casualties, and rescue operations are ongoing.

In a statement signed by the Head of Public Affairs at the FCT Emergency Management Department (FEMD), Nkechi Isa, the Head of Forecasting, Response, and Mitigation, Mark Nyam, explained the circumstances surrounding the accident: “A ghastly motor accident has occurred at the Karu Bridge, between Kugbo and Nyanya in the FCT. The accident, which occurred at about 7:14 this evening, involved a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) truck and other vehicles.

“The accident happened when the driver of the CNG truck lost control on the bridge, thereby running into other motorists and causing an explosion.”

The Senate has received a request from President Bola Tinubu for the confirmation of six nominees as Chairman and members of the Board of Directors of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

In a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and read during plenary on Wednesday, Tinubu stated that the nominations were in line with Section 10, Subsection 1 of the AMCON Establishment Act, 2019 (as amended).

The nominees include Dr. Bala Bello as Chairman of the Board, alongside Yusuf Tegina (Non-Executive Director, North Central), Adeyemo Adeoye (Non-Executive Director, South West), Charles Odiong Iyiore (Non-Executive Director, South South), Yahaya Ibrahim (Non-Executive Director, North West), and Emily Chidinma Osuji (Non-Executive Director, South East).

Following the announcement, the Senate President referred the request to its Committee on Banking, Insurance, and Other Financial Institutions for further legislative action. It is expected to eport back within four weeks.