Personnel of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Emergency Management Department (FEMD) rescued two persons trapped in a burning Peugeot J5 bus along the Kubwa/Suleja road opposite Niger Barracks in Abuja.
The tragic incident, which occurred at 9:21 pm on Wednesday night, sadly claimed the life of the driver, who suffered fatal burns.
According to Head of Operation, 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 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 on Thursday.
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 agency added that the cause of the accident was under further investigation as authorities continue to emphasise road safety measures to prevent future occurrences.
