The Controller General of the Federal Fire Service (FFS), Engr. Jaji Abdulganiyu, has called for stricter enforcement of road safety regulations following the deadly tanker explosion in Abuja that claimed over 10 lives and left several others injured.
The explosion occurred on Wednesday at Karu Bridge along the Abuja-Keffi expressway when a tanker lost control and crashed into vehicles caught in traffic, igniting a massive fire. Among the injured is Police Inspector Rachael Chukwuemeka, who, along with two other victims, is receiving treatment at Cedacrest Hospital in Abuja. The hospital confirmed that two patients are stable while one remains in critical condition.
Abdulganiyu, who visited the victims at the hospital, expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended his condolences to the affected families. He called for strict enforcement of the ban on the movement of articulated vehicles during peak hours, particularly in the early morning and evening when roads are busiest.
“What is important is enforcement,” Abdulganiyu stressed. “All security agencies, including the Road Safety, Fire Service, and Police, must work together to ensure strict adherence to road safety rules.”
He linked the recurring accidents to reckless driving by tanker operators and warned that failure to enforce road safety regulations could lead to more tragedies. “If truck drivers are banned from moving at certain hours, security agencies must ensure compliance. Otherwise, these disasters will continue to happen,” he warned.
The FFS chief also confirmed that his team, during an assessment of the accident scene, helped prevent a secondary disaster. He emphasized the importance of quick response and better communication in emergencies. “Fire Service cannot be everywhere at once. If we don’t receive timely information, we can’t respond effectively,” he noted.
Abdulganiyu reaffirmed the Federal Fire Service’s commitment to preventing and mitigating such disasters, emphasizing that fire prevention is more cost-effective than managing the aftermath of an explosion.
