The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has launched a search for the driver of an unregistered Toyota 4Runner Jeep whose alleged violation of a one-way traffic rule triggered a gas explosion at Byazhin in Abuja.
The incident occurred at about 6:30am on Sunday, September 27, 2026, after the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a cooking gas plant near Liberty Junction, Byazhin.
The crash sparked an explosion and fire that engulfed nearby shops and other properties, according to the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh.
Adeh said the command received a distress call from a resident reporting the fire and promptly deployed officers from the Kubwa Police Division to the scene.
She said the police team met a raging inferno and immediately contacted the Federal Fire Service, which responded and helped contain the fire.
Preliminary police investigations established that the driver was travelling against traffic when the vehicle crashed into the gas plant.
Adeh said the driver and occupants of the vehicle fled immediately after the incident.
She added that the command had established the identity of the driver and was currently tracking him.
“While the Command is currently on the trail of the erring driver, having established his identity, the fire has been contained and no casualties have been recorded,” Adeh said.
The police said the extent of property damage was yet to be determined as a detailed assessment was still being carried out.
The command said normalcy had been restored in the area and residents could return to their lawful businesses.
It also urged residents to remain security-conscious and promptly report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station.
Members of the public can also contact the command through its emergency numbers, 08032003913 and 08028940883.
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