By Editor Drealomalicha Emmanuella
A Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered bus has exploded at a transport terminal in Kaduna State, reigniting concerns about the safety of gas-powered vehicles within Nigeria’s public transport system.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, at approximately 2 a.m., when much of the area was quiet. The explosion ripped through at least one luxury bus and damaged another, leaving debris strewn across the terminal.
Eyewitnesses described the blast as sudden and powerful. Umar Mohammed, a worker at the Mando motor park, said the scene was one of shock and confusion in the immediate aftermath.
“It was a huge explosion,” he said. “One luxury bus was completely torn apart—another was also affected. People are trying to clear the debris, but at this point, we cannot confirm if there were any injuries or fatalities. Everywhere is calm now.”
Initial indications suggest the explosion was gas-related rather than a deliberate attack, though concerns remain over the risks associated with CNG-powered vehicles, which are increasingly being introduced as a more affordable alternative to petrol and diesel.
The timing of the blast may have prevented a far greater tragedy. With few people present at the terminal at the time, the likelihood of casualties appears to have been significantly reduced.
Residents living near the busy motor park said the loud bang sent waves of panic through the surrounding community, jolting many from their sleep. Although calm has since returned, the incident has left lingering anxiety among locals, many of whom are now questioning the safety standards and regulation of gas-powered transport.
Authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the cause of the explosion or confirm whether there were any casualties.
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