A devastating explosion rocked Edo State on the morning of Thursday, October 17, 2024, when a vehicle powered by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) burst into flames at the NIPCO filling station in Aduwawa, along the Benin-Auchi Expressway.
In a heart-stopping viral video circulating on social media, the CNG-powered vehicle was completely shattered, sending debris flying as terrified bystanders sprinted for safety. The deafening blast triggered chaos across the vicinity, leaving many residents in fear and confusion.
Eyewitnesses confirmed that three individuals suffered severe injuries in the explosion. They were swiftly rushed to a nearby private hospital, where medical personnel are battling to stabilize their conditions.
This horrifying incident heightens concerns over the Federal Government’s push to convert petrol-powered vehicles to CNG. The policy, aimed at cutting transportation costs after the controversial removal of fuel subsidy, now raises pressing questions about safety measures and the risks associated with such conversions.
Jigawa State Tanker Explosion Claims 153 Lives in Tragic Mass Burial
In a related development, Jigawa State witnessed a sorrowful mass burial following the death of 153 individuals in a petrol tanker explosion on Wednesday in Majiya town, Taura Local Government Area.
The inferno claimed 94 lives on the spot, while scores of others were rushed to Ringim General Hospital in critical condition. With the facility overwhelmed, survivors were transferred to the Federal Medical Centre in Birnin Kudu due to a lack of available beds.
Doctors in both hospitals are engaged in a race against time to save the injured. This tragedy has plunged the region into mourning as families grieve the unimaginable loss.
As Nigeria grapples with these dual disasters, urgent questions arise about safety protocols at fuel stations and on the road. Public outrage is growing over the government’s handling of fuel policies and the protection of citizens amid increasing risks associated with alternative energy initiatives.
