As Nigerians continue to mourn the lives lost in Wednesday’s tanker inferno which has risen to 10 with about 24 vehicles destroyed, the Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER) and the Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness (CCLCA) have called for a thorough investigation into the incident and compensation for those affected.
The accident occurred when a cement laden Dangote trailer which had a compartment containing two big cylinders with compressed gas behind the trailer head caught fire after colliding with stationary vehicles.
In an exclusive interview with Persecondnews, an Abuja-based lawyer and Executive Director of Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER), Mr. Frank Tietie, urged Nigerians not to sweep the accident under the carpet like the previous ones that happened in Suleja and Enugu.
Persecondnews recalls that 98 people were killed and 55 injured on January 18, 2025, when a fuel tanker overturned and exploded while people were attempting to scoop fuel from it.
Also, on January 25, 2025, a fuel-laden tanker experienced brake failure, fell, and burst into flames, killing at least 21 people and injuring many others along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, specifically at the Ugwu Onyeama axis.
Mr. Tietie cautioned that continually sweeping such incidents under the rug would undermine the crucial goals of learning from these tragedies and averting recurrence in future.
He said: “We must take proactive measures in the public interest, for we never know who will be the next victim.
“It is often not until tragedy strikes closer to home, affecting a minister, high-ranking government official, or someone of influence, that we begin to take these incidents seriously.
“Meanwhile, when such calamities befall the poor and vulnerable, who are often deemed insignificant, the response is eerily calm.”
He expressed deep sadness over the accident, saying that it was precipitated by a blatant disregard for the Federal Road Safety Corps'(FRSC) regulation, which dictates specific timings for heavy-duty vehicles on the Abuja-Keffi road due to heavy traffic congestion, when people are returning home from work.
According to the Abuja-based lawyer, regulations are essentially laws, as they are enacted by chief executives pursuant to enabling statutes.
This is precisely why they are referred to as delegated legislation, deriving their authority from the parent law that empowers their creation.
Tietie advocated strict consequences against those violating the law prohibiting heavy-duty vehicles from plying the Abuja-Keffi axis between 5 pm and 10 pm, emphasizing the need to safeguard commuters returning home from work.
He attributed the accident to the negligence of law enforcement officers stationed at AYA Junction, who failed to prevent the trailer from proceeding at a restricted time.
He said: “There have been reported cases of drivers bribing law enforcement officers to allow them to flout regulations.
“Consider the catastrophic consequences that could have been avoided if someone hadn’t accepted a N1000 bribe to let that trailer pass.
“I emphasize this point, and I am willing to testify in court to prove that bribery occurred. Let them take me to court, and we will examine the evidence together.
“Whenever drivers are stopped by law enforcement agencies, such as the Police or Federal Road Safety Corps officers, we observe a suspicious pattern.
“They engage in prolonged negotiations, after which they are often allowed to proceed. This raises reasonable suspicion that bribery is occurring, enabling drivers to circumvent traffic regulations.”
Tietie insisted that insurance companies, not perpetrators, should pay accident compensation, making compliance with Nigeria’s compulsory Motor Vehicle Third Party Insurance Policy (MVTPIP) essential for all vehicles.
He said: “That is why I supported the enforcement of MVTPIP application requirements on every vehicle when the police went out last month to enforce it.
“Accidents are unplanned events that occur occasionally. The purpose of insurance is to mitigate the effects of risk when it materializes. Although the risk may be foreseeable, insurance provides a safeguard.
“In this case, the law acknowledges that accidents will happen, involving motor vehicles and third parties. That’s why it is called the Motor Vehicle Third-Party Insurance Policy.
“It is not a comprehensive policy, but rather a third-party policy that covers accidents caused by motor vehicles, which impact third parties. Therefore, inquiries will be made to determine whether the Dangote truck was insured.
“If it was not insured, Dangote will be held liable, and the company officer responsible for insuring the vehicle will face criminal liability, potentially leading to imprisonment.
“It is called the Compulsory Motor Vehicle Third-Party Insurance Policy. While comprehensive policies and other forms of insurance are not mandatory, third-party coverage is compulsory, particularly when it involves third parties.”
Tietie stated that if Dangote indeed has a valid MVTPIP and is up-to-date on premium payments, then the insurance company must be identified and held responsible for paying compensation to the victims.
He said that the lack of trust for the police by Nigerians makes them view every policy they want to enforce as an opportunity for bribery, but that should not be the case with MVTPIP.
Tietie said the FRSC must be held accountable for failing to prevent the cement-laden truck from passing, as there are existing regulations in place that should have been enforced.
Also reacting to the accident, Dr. Gabriel Nwambu, Director-General of the Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness (CCLCA), said Dangote Company should do the needful by compensating the victims’ families as he appeals for patience for investigation.
According to Dr. Nwambu, the appeal is for patience, allowing the insurance company to assess the situation and determine the eligibility of the deceased and their families for compensation.
He said: “Dangote vehicle caused the accident. If the driver had not hit the stationary vehicles, the accident would not have occurred.”
Nwambu said Dangote should take immediate action by visiting the families of the victims to determine and provide the necessary compensations, rather than waiting for the insurance company.
He stated that visiting the families and providing compensations is the humane thing to do and should be part of Dangote’s corporate social responsibility (CRS).
Nwambu called for a thorough investigation into the accident, saying that the truck flouted a regulation which stipulated movement time for heavy duty vehicles.
He said: “A standing order explicitly prohibits trucks from utilizing that road between 7 am and 11 am, as well as from 5 pm to 10 pm.
“It begs the question: why was this truck allowed to pass through AYA Junction unchecked? Moreover, disturbing allegations of bribe collection by some law enforcement officers have surfaced.
“If we do not take drastic measures, these tragic yet preventable accidents will, regrettably, continue to recur.”
Furthermore, a Senior Officer of the Directorate of Road Traffic Services(DRTS) who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that they used to pack those trailers once it is 6 pm and only released them to continue their journey by 10.00 pm.
The officer explained that they had to stop due to a court case, and the court issued a new order that they are currently complying with.p
He said: “That is why you might see us on the road sometimes without taking action.”
Persecondnews had reported that FCT Police command spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, said in a statement sent to Persecondnews on Wednesday that Karu Division received a distress call reporting a horrific incident involving a Dangote trailer loaded with cement.
The statement reads: “The impact engulfed fourteen vehicles in a raging inferno. Panic and chaos followed as bystanders and motorists scrambled for safety. Emergency responders rushed to the scene, battling thick smoke and intense heat to rescue those trapped.
“Six victims were pulled from the wreckage and rushed to the hospital, but tragically, they were confirmed dead by medical personnel on duty. Their remains have been deposited at Karu General Hospital Morgue.
“Police operatives, in collaboration with fire service personnel, other security agencies, and courageous individuals at the scene, contained the inferno, and normal traffic flow has been restored.
“The FCT Police Command extends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and assures the public that a thorough investigation is underway to determine the cause of this disaster and prevent future occurrences.
“Members of the public are strongly urged to exercise caution and adhere to speed limits while driving, especially in high-traffic areas. Safe driving habits can prevent tragedies like this and save lives.”
Providing an update on the number of casualties, the Acting Director-General of the FCT Emergency Management Department (FEMD), Mr. Abdulrahman Mohammed, told newsmen at the scene on Thursday that four of the rescued victims had died, bringing the total death toll to 10.
He said: “Five people were taken dead from the scene yesterday. Out of the people that were injured, one died, making six. Then this morning, when I asked my people to go round, they discovered that four had already died again, making ten. Four of them from yesterday were burnt beyond recognition.”
Additionally, Mohammed said 30 other victims were undergoing treatment at various hospitals in the Federal Capital Territory.
He added: “Eight of the victims were receiving treatments at the Karu General Hospital, 10 at the Customs Hospital, 11 at the National Hospital, while one victim was at the Aso Clinic, making a total of 30.
“And the places where you would find people are Customs Hospital, we have National Hospital and Aso Clinic. I have instructed them to go to Asokoro Hospital and see whether they carried some people there again. But now, this is the information I have at this time.”
However, attempts to reach the FCT FRSC Sector Commander and the Public Relations Officer of the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS) for comment before publication were unsuccessful, as calls and messages were unanswered.
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