The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Emergency Management Department (FEMD) successfully rescued two individuals trapped in a burning Peugeot J5 bus along the Kubwa/Suleja road opposite Niger Barracks.
The tragic incident, which occurred at approximately 9:21 pm on Wednesday night, claimed the life of the bus driver, who suffered fatal burns.
According to the head of Operations, Search and Rescue at FEMD, Mr Monday Adie, the driver sustained severe injuries in the accident.
“The charred remains of the victim have been handed over to his family for burial,” Adie confirmed.
An eyewitness who preferred anonymity said that the accident reportedly occurred when the Peugeot J5 bus, loaded with bags of groundnuts, collided with a heavy-duty vehicle and immediately burst into flames.
“A lone survivor from the bus was rushed to Asokoro General Hospital for treatment but was later discharged at the family’s request,” he said.
The rescue operation, which involved multiple agencies including the FCT Fire Service, the Nigerian Army, and the FCT Police Command, lasted from 9:21 pm until 1:30 am yesterday.
In response to the incident, the acting director general of FEMD, Engr Abdulrahman Mohammed, appealed to motorists to exercise caution while driving.
“We urge all drivers to be vigilant on the road and ensure their vehicles are in pristine condition to prevent such tragedies,” he stated.
Abdulrahman also reminded FCT residents to utilise the 112 emergency toll-free number in case of disasters. “Timely reporting can save lives, and we encourage everyone to make use of this vital service,” he added.
The cause of the accident is under further investigation as authorities continue to emphasise road safety measures to prevent future occurrences.
