Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has launched a manhunt for a driver accused of causing a gas explosion in Kubwa, Abuja, after allegedly driving against traffic and crashing into a cooking gas plant.
The incident happened at about 06:30 local time on Sunday at Liberty Junction in the Byazhin area of Kubwa.
According to the police, the driver was travelling in an unregistered Toyota 4Runner Jeep when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the gas facility.
The impact triggered an explosion and fire which spread to nearby shops and other properties.
Police spokesperson Josephine Adeh said officers from the Kubwa Police Division responded to a distress call and subsequently contacted the Federal Fire Service, which helped contain the blaze.
“The driver and occupants of the vehicle fled the scene immediately,” the police said.
The command said it had established the identity of the driver and was pursuing him.
No deaths were recorded, according to the police, although the full extent of the property damage has yet to be established.
Local reports said several shops were affected by the fire, while the vehicle involved was completely burnt. Other reports said the driver and a child were rescued and taken for medical attention, highlighting some differences in the initial accounts of what happened after the crash.
Emergency responders, including the police and fire service, worked to prevent the flames from spreading further through the busy commercial area.
The police have urged residents to remain vigilant and report any information that could help locate the driver.
Normal activities have since resumed in the area, the command said.
