An early morning explosion involving a compressed natural gas vehicle has damaged at least two cars at the Mando Motor Park in Kaduna State, prompting the police to clarify that the incident was not a bomb blast but a gas-related occurrence.
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The Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV) has also reassured the public on the safety of natural gas, calling for calm as investigations proceed.
A garage worker, Abdulkadir Abdullahi, said the incident occurred at about 4:00 AM on Sunday.
He explained that the explosion originated from a bus powered by CNG, adding that two vehicles were affected by the blast.
According to him, the damaged vehicles were luxury buses belonging to a transport company, and they have since been evacuated from the garage.
“Fortunately, no life was lost and no one sustained injuries because there was no passenger inside the vehicle at the time of the incident. However, the explosion caused panic among people within the garage,” Abdullahi said.
He dismissed claims circulating in some quarters that the explosion was caused by a bomb, insisting that it was purely a gas-related incident.
The Kaduna State Police Command clarified that the explosion at the Mando Motor Park was not a bomb blast but a gas-related incident involving a luxury bus.
In a statement on Sunday, the Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, explained that the incident occurred at about 3:00 AM at Silver Luxury Travel, a transport company operating gas-powered vehicles at Mando Garage.
According to the police, a loud sound from the location triggered concern and speculation of a possible explosion.
Detectives were immediately deployed to the scene following the report.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the incident involved a liquefied natural gas-powered luxury bus which experienced a minor explosion due to overfilling of its gas tank.
The police confirmed that the affected vehicles had been evacuated and the area secured.
No casualties or property damage beyond the two buses were recorded, and normal activities have since resumed at the motor park.
The Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State, CP Muhammad Rabiu, has ordered a full investigation to determine the exact cause of the incident and prevent future occurrences.
The Police Bomb Disposal Unit was also deployed to the scene as part of precautionary measures.
The Command urged members of the public to verify information before sharing, warning that unverified reports, especially on security matters, can cause unnecessary panic.
The Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles has reassured the public on the safety of natural gas following the explosion.
A statement signed by the Head of Brand and Communications, Onyekachi Eke, on behalf of Pi-CNG & EV management, called for calm as investigations proceed.
“At this time, there is no confirmed information on the specific cause of the incident, as investigations are ongoing,” Eke stated.
“The Initiative is working closely with relevant state and federal authorities to establish the facts.”
Eke highlighted years of incident-free CNG use in Nigeria and emphasised its reliability, cost-effectiveness, and air quality benefits.
“We wish to reassure the public that natural gas, when properly handled and deployed, has a strong safety record both globally and within Nigeria, with years of use across parts of the country without incidents of this nature,” she said.
“CNG remains a safe, reliable, and cost-effective fuel option, with the added benefit of supporting cleaner energy and improved air quality.”
Eke urged the public to remain calm and avoid speculation or sensational reporting while investigations are ongoing.
“We urge the public to remain calm and avoid speculation or sensational reporting while investigations are ongoing,” she stated.
She said the organisation remained fully committed to safety and would continue to work with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the highest standards across the sector, promising updates as details emerge.
The Pi-CNG & EV was inaugurated in July 2023 by President Bola Tinubu to convert one million vehicles to CNG within three years.
The initiative is leveraging Nigeria’s abundant gas reserves to cut transport costs by up to 70 per cent following the removal of fuel subsidy.
Normal activities have resumed at the Mando Garage, which is located near the Air Force base in Kaduna.
The explosion at Mando Motor Park highlights the importance of proper handling and safety protocols in the deployment of CNG-powered vehicles.
The preliminary finding that the explosion was caused by overfilling of the gas tank points to human error rather than any inherent defect in CNG technology.
For the Presidential Initiative on CNG, which is championing the conversion of vehicles to gas as a cost-saving measure for Nigerians, the incident represents a test of public confidence in the technology.
The swift response from both the police and Pi-CNG & EV, clarifying that the incident was not a bomb blast and reassuring the public on CNG safety, appears aimed at preventing panic and maintaining trust in the government’s gas conversion programme.
However, the incident underscores the need for strict adherence to safety standards, proper training of gas station operators, and effective monitoring of CNG filling stations to prevent overfilling and other human errors that could lead to similar incidents.
The full investigation ordered by the Commissioner of Police will be crucial in establishing the exact cause and recommending measures to prevent future occurrences.
For transport companies operating CNG-powered vehicles, the incident serves as a reminder to ensure their vehicles are serviced and filled according to manufacturer specifications and safety guidelines.
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