Last week, President Bola Tinubu directed a thorough investigation into the tanker explosion that resulted in multiple accidents and loss of lives in Karu, Abuja, on Wednesday night.
While the President condoled with family members who lost loved ones in the inferno, which happened at the peak hour, he also ordered priority treatment of the injured in various medical facilities in the capital city.
Nigeria has witnessed a disturbing rise in fatal road accidents and explosions since the start of the year, resulting in significant loss of lives and property.
From January 2009 to October 2024, there were 169 explosion incidents in which 1,613 people died. The year 2019 alone recorded 29 explosions with 203 fatalities.
In 2023, 10 died in Ore, Ondo State. But with 61 killed in Niger State in September 2024, and 150 fatalities in Jigawa State in October 2024, the 203-fatality figure of 2019 was pushed to second place by seven deaths.
In January 2025, 86 people were killed, and more injured in another tanker fire in Niger State. A week later, yet another tanker overturned on the Enugu-Onitsha Road and killed 18 people.
On March 4, 2025, a devastating gas cylinder explosion in Ogun State left 15 people dead and several others injured. The incident, which occurred in an 18-seater bus, was reportedly caused by a gas leak from a cylinder that was being transported inside the vehicle.
On March 11, 2025 a tanker carrying gas fell on its side at the Otedola Bridge section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and burst into flames. Fire service and road safety officials pulled out two burnt bodies. Three injured people were rescued. About 12 vehicles and some roadside structures were razed. The driver was said to have lost control of the vehicle after a brake failure.
“Sadly, traffic enforcement in Nigeria has shifted focus from serious safety measures to minor infractions like expired vehicle papers, turning into a revenue-generating scheme rather than a life-saving mission.”
The tragic incident claimed the lives of Dozie Okoye, a staff of Zenith Bank, Ladipo Oluwole branch in Ikeja, Lagos and Joan Gusiora, his beautiful wife, a nurse with a promising career in the United States.
They got married on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at Saint Jude’s Anglican Church on Ademola Ajasa Street, Omole Phase 1, Ikeja.
Regrettably, they were buried on this same Saturday, March 22, 2025 at Agulu Village, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State and at Enugu-Ukwu, Njikoka Local Government Area, respectively.
These tragic incidents serve as a grim reminder of the dangers of transporting LPG cylinders improperly. Gas cylinders contain highly flammable liquefied petroleum gas, which, when exposed to heat, pressure, or leaks, can lead to catastrophic explosions.
In Nigeria, the frequency is alarming. Aged and damaged vehicles are imported into the country and put on the road and many vehicles are never serviced until they break down.
The Otedola Bridge and Abuja explosions occurred during the evening rush hours.
Therefore, truck operators carrying hazardous substances should not be on the road during busy hours.
The rail, once used to move petroleum products, should be revived.
Despite a slight reduction in road traffic fatalities in 2023, with 5,081 deaths reported by the Federal Road Safety Corps compared to 6,456 in 2022, the overall death toll remains alarming.
Nigeria has one of the highest road fatality rates globally, with 33.7 deaths per 100,000 people, far above the global average of 17.4.
To put that into perspective, the global average is 17.4 per 100,000, with Zimbabwe, the worst-ranked country, experiencing 74.5 deaths per 100,000.
The causes of these road tragedies are numerous and familiar. Over-speeding is the leading factor, as drivers routinely ignore speed limits, often in pursuit of higher profits, especially in commercial transportation.
Reckless driving, fatigue, overloaded vehicles, and dangerous night-time travel further escalate the risks. In recent years, the increased use of mobile phones while driving has worsened the situation, with distracted drivers causing more accidents. Whether taking calls, texting, or scrolling through social media, these distractions have proven deadly.
The poor state of Nigeria’s roads adds to the problem. Highways are often riddled with potholes, poorly lit, and lacking proper signage, making even the most careful drivers vulnerable. These infrastructural issues, combined with reckless driving behaviour, create a lethal environment.
While individual drivers are frequently blamed, the systemic failures in addressing road safety are equally concerning.
Sadly, traffic enforcement in Nigeria has shifted focus from serious safety measures to minor infractions like expired vehicle papers, turning into a revenue-generating scheme rather than a life-saving mission.
The country’s outdated approach to road safety is woefully inadequate. In other parts of the world, technology has played a significant role in reducing road fatalities through the use of speed cameras, real-time traffic monitoring, and emergency response systems. In Nigeria, these advancements are scarce, leaving the roads more dangerous than they should be.
Driver education is another critical issue. Nigeria’s licensing system is rife with corruption, allowing unqualified drivers to obtain licenses without undergoing proper training. Bribery often bypasses the need for testing, leading to untrained drivers endangering the lives of others.
A complete overhaul of the licensing process is necessary, emphasising proper education and rigorous testing.
The human cost of road accidents in Nigeria is devastating. Road crashes have become the second leading cause of violent deaths, surpassed only by violence from insurgent groups such as Boko Haram and bandits. While much attention is given to these security challenges, the loss of life on Nigeria’s roads is equally tragic.
The economic impact of road accidents is also significant. Hospitals, already burdened by limited resources, are overwhelmed by crash victims. Families face financial ruin from the loss of breadwinners, and businesses suffer disruptions to supply chains and workforce mobility.
There are urgent steps the government must take. First, investment in road infrastructure is essential. Highways need regular maintenance, potholes must be repaired, proper lighting should be installed, and signage needs to be clear and informative. These basic improvements can make a significant difference in preventing accidents.
Technology should also play a more prominent role in road safety efforts. Installing speed cameras, especially in high-risk areas, would discourage speeding and reckless driving.
Emergency response units should be stationed along major highways, ready to respond quickly and efficiently to accidents.
Stricter enforcement of traffic laws is another crucial step. The FRSC and other oversight bodies must be empowered and held accountable for ensuring compliance with road safety regulations. This includes cracking down on over-speeding, drunk-driving, and distracted driving. Penalties for violations should be severe enough to serve as a deterrent, with repeat offenders facing escalating consequences.
The current licensing system must be replaced with a standardised, rigorous process that emphasises road safety and accountability. Drivers should be required to pass comprehensive tests and undergo training that instills a culture of safety on the roads.
Public awareness campaigns must be intensified to educate road users about the dangers of negligence and recklessness.