Police hunt driver after one-way violation sparks Abuja gas plant explosion

The FCT Police Command has launched a manhunt for the driver of an unregistered Toyota 4Runner Jeep after the vehicle allegedly crashed into a cooking gas plant in Byazhin, Abuja, triggering an explosion and fire.

The incident occurred at about 6:30am on Sunday around Liberty Junction, Byazhin.

According to the police, the driver was travelling against traffic when he lost control of the vehicle and rammed into the gas facility.

The impact reportedly triggered an explosion, sending flames through the gas plant and spreading to nearby shops and other properties.

The Kubwa Divisional Police received a distress call from a resident and quickly mobilised officers to the scene.

The police subsequently alerted the Federal Fire Service, whose personnel joined the response effort and helped contain the blaze.

In a statement, the command said preliminary investigations indicated that the crash was caused by the driver’s alleged violation of the one-way traffic rule.

“Preliminary investigations by the Police team revealed that the fire outbreak was caused by the driver of an unregistered Toyota 4Runner Jeep, who was driving against traffic (one-way),” the command said.

The driver and other occupants of the vehicle reportedly fled immediately after the crash.

The police said investigators had established the identity of the driver and were tracking him.

Although the fire destroyed or damaged several properties, the command said no death was recorded.

It added that an assessment of the extent and value of the property damage was still ongoing.

The police said the situation had been brought under control and normal activities had resumed in the area.

The command urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through its emergency lines.