Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service (FFS), Engr. Abduganiyu O. Jaji, yesterday urged drivers transporting highly inflammable substances to exercise caution on highways, especially in high-risk zones.
He said the nation cannot afford to lose citizens due to the recklessness and carelessness of such drivers.
Engr. Jaji, who was visibly moved, stated this when he paid a visit to victims of Wednesday’s gas explosion in Abuja that claimed 10 lives and burnt many vehicles at Cedarcrest Hospital, Apo, where some victims are currently receiving treatment.
The controller-general, who provided financial support for the treatment of the victims, urged security agencies to ensure strict enforcement of regulation of truck movement on the roads.
He said, “What is important is enforcement. All security agencies, especially the Road Safety Corps, the Fire Service and the police, among others, should work together to ensure strict enforcement and compliance with road rules by all road users. We can’t continue to allow careless drivers to waste innocent lives.
“Nigerians have the right to life. People shouldn’t leave their homes in search of daily bread only to have their lives cut short by irresponsible drivers. We need to be proactive and put an end to this bloodbath. Enough is enough.
“If truck drivers have been mandated not to move at a certain time, security agencies must ensure compliance and prevent them from moving. Otherwise, this kind of calamity will continue to claim innocent lives.
“It is our responsibility to ensure that fire doesn’t break out at all. Preventing fire is much cheaper than mitigating the disaster.”
Jaji assured that the Federal Fire Service remained committed to responding swiftly to emergencies, ensuring that such devastating events do not escalate into worse consequences.
The Fire Service boss confirmed that two people lost their lives in a recent truck accident at Karu Bridge on the Abuja-Keffi Expressway—the same location where Wednesday’s deadly explosion occurred.
He said, “While responding to the latest incident, my team and I noticed a severe risk nearby. A fuel tanker, caught in the chaos of the previous accidents, had begun spilling its dangerous contents onto the hot asphalt under the scorching sun.
“The potential for an explosion was high, especially with other vehicles in the vicinity that could ignite the volatile fuel.
“Recognising the danger, I immediately alerted the nearest fire station for backup and instructed my team to act swiftly. They quickly deployed foam compound over the fuel spill, effectively containing the threat and preventing a catastrophic blaze.
“This quick and decisive action by my dedicated firefighters undoubtedly saved lives and kept the situation from spiraling into an even greater disaster.”
The Controller-General expressed his deepest condolences to the victims and their families and called for heightened caution on highways, particularly in high-risk zones.
“We must remain vigilant and prepared to respond rapidly to prevent further loss of life,” he emphasised, highlighting the importance of proactive safety measures following such tragedies.
“Thanks to the expertise and professionalism of the Federal Fire Service, a second disaster was averted, and safety was restored to the accident site, bringing some relief to the harrowing situation.
“The Federal Fire Service remains committed to responding swiftly to emergencies, ensuring that such devastating events do not escalate into even worse consequences.”
Updating the Fire Service team and the media about the condition of the three victims in their care, Dr. Kate Edianhon, a Consultant Anaesthetist at Cedarcrest Hospital, shared that three of the victims – two males—and one female, an Inspector of Police, were being treated.
Dr. Edianhon noted that two of the patients were stable and responding to treatment, while one patient, in critical condition, was on life support.
She called on Nigerians to keep the patient on life support in their prayers, assuring that the hospital would do everything within their power to help her survive. Dr. Edianhon further confirmed that none of the patients brought to the hospital had died.
“One of the patients is being ventilated, as her original skin had been completely damaged. Additionally, during the inferno, she had inhaled hot air, which resulted in burns to her throat. The case is critical.” She remarked.
A sister of one of the victims, a tearful Adedoye Temitope, spoke to LEADERSHIP Weekend, explaining that although her sister, Inspector , Mrs. Rachael Chukwuemeka, from Delta State, who was badly burned, was receiving medical attention at the facility, she had yet to see her to determine her condition.
She expressed her gratitude to the hospital management for accepting her sister, who had been rejected by four government hospitals before being admitted to Cedarcrest Hospital.
