By Samson Adeyanju
Following the tanker explosion near Karu Bridge in Abuja, a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), a Civil Servant, Chinedu Onyeze, has urged the federal government to enforce strict brake inspections on heavy-duty trucks to prevent similar tragedies.
Speaking at the scene of the explosion, Onyeze dismissed claims that CNG cylinders caused the blast, insisting that the accident resulted from brake failure and the impact of the collision.
“The explosion was triggered by the force of the crash, not CNG. If CNG tanks were the issue, they would have exploded, but they did not—even under extreme heat,” he explained.
There have been several efforts by the FCT Administration to curtail the incident including the recent effort of the legislative arm of government at the federal level to further regulate the movement of heavy-duty vehicles, but truck drivers are becoming deviant to existing laws that ensures lives and properties
In February 2025, the Nigerian Senate introduced a bill seeking to restrict the operations of heavy-duty vehicles to between 12:00 midnight and 6:00 AM, except on emergencies.
The proposed penalties for violations include fines of ₦500,000 for individuals, ₦5,000,000 for corporate offenders, and vehicle impoundment for up to 30 days.
These measures reflect ongoing efforts to enhance road safety and reduce traffic congestion in Abuja and across Nigeria.
However, Onyeze emphasized that CNG remains safer than liquid fuel and accused certain groups of using the incident to spread misinformation and sabotage Nigeria’s transition to cleaner energy.
“Some people are pushing propaganda because they stand to lose financially if CNG adoption succeeds,” he stated.
Onyeze called on the government to introduce mandatory roadside brake tests for all commercial trucks, noting that poor brake systems are a major cause of fatal road accidents.
“Every heavy-duty vehicle should be checked regularly. If a truck’s brakes are faulty, it should be impounded immediately,” he added.
It worthy to note that the FCT Police Command confirmed that six people died in the explosion, while 14 vehicles were burnt. Investigations into the incident are ongoing
