A fuel-laden tanker has exploded in Maitama, one of Abuja’s upscale districts, causing injuries and widespread panic on Monday night.
The incident, which occurred along Shehu Shagari Way, left several people injured, including passengers in a commercial vehicle.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic as emergency responders rushed to the scene, and nearby hospitals were quickly alerted.
A health official at Maitama District Hospital, who requested anonymity, confirmed that victims from the explosion were being treated at the facility. “I saw victims being brought in for emergency care”, the official said.
Survivors reportedly told hospital staff that the driver of the tanker fled the scene after the truck tipped over, leading to the explosion. The exact cause of the incident was still under investigation.
The explosion caused a significant traffic gridlock in the area, further disrupting movement in the busy part of the federal capital city. Authorities have yet to release an official statement regarding the full extent of the injuries or possible fatalities
