Death Toll In Abuja Bridge Explosion Rises To 10

The death toll from the tragic accident near Nyanya Bridge in Abuja has climbed to 10, with several others suffering varying degrees of injuries.

A source in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) confirmed the development to SaharaReporters on Thursday.

The accident occurred around 6:58 PM on Wednesday when a Dangote trailer, heavily loaded with cement, lost control while approaching Nyanya Bridge from AYA and crashed into stationary vehicles trapped in traffic.

The impact ignited a massive inferno, causing panic among bystanders and motorists.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh, described the scene as devastating.

“A distress call was received by Karu Division reporting a horrifying scene—a Dangote trailer, heavily loaded with cement and approaching Nyanya Bridge from AYA, had lost control and crashed into stationary vehicles trapped in traffic," she said.

The crash resulted in 14 vehicles being engulfed in flames, leading to chaos as people scrambled for safety. Emergency responders, including firefighters and security agencies, battled the blaze while attempting to rescue victims.

“Six victims were pulled from the wreckage and rushed to the hospital, but tragically, they were confirmed dead by medical personnel. Their remains have been deposited at Karu General Hospital Morgue,” Adeh added.

The FCT Police Command extended condolences to the victims’ families and assured the public that investigations were underway to determine the cause of the accident and prevent future occurrences.

Meanwhile, the Acting Director General of the FCT Emergency Management Department, Engr. Abdulrahman Mohammed, has also expressed condolences to the affected families.

According to Nkechi Isa, the department’s Head of Public Affairs, preliminary findings suggest that the accident was caused by an open-body trailer powered by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

Some of the injured victims received treatment at the National Hospital, Asokoro Hospital, State House Clinic, Customs Hospital, and Nyanya General Hospital.

Mohammed urged drivers to adhere to traffic regulations and exercise caution to prevent similar tragedies. The FCT Police Command also advised motorists to obey speed limits, particularly in high-traffic areas, and report emergencies through the command’s emergency numbers.