At least three people were critically injured after a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) cylinder exploded on Wednesday at NIPCO gas station in Aduwawa, Benin City, Edo State.
The incident was confirmed by the spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, Moses Joel Yamu, who spoke to Peoples Gazette on Thursday. According to Yamu, the victims of the explosion were employees of the gas station.
“It’s an Audi car whose CNG cylinder exploded at Nipco filling station. Injured three persons who are currently responding to treatment at UBTH,” Mr. Yamu said in his statement.
The explosion occurred when the driver of the Audi vehicle visited the station to refill the car’s CNG cylinder. The force of the blast was so strong that it blew open the boot of the vehicle and tore off the roof. The backseat was heavily damaged, extending from the rear windshield to the taillights, leaving the car completely wrecked.
This incident has reignited concerns over the safety of CNG adoption, a key part of President Bola Tinubu’s plan to offer an affordable alternative to fuel in response to the skyrocketing prices of premium motor spirit (PMS), which now sells for over N1000 per liter at government-supported stations and over N1400 on the black market.
Public reactions on social media highlight the apprehension about CNG safety. Many have expressed reservations about converting to CNG until the government can ensure the safety of such systems.
Ben Samuel, a user on X, wrote: “Until BAT (Bola Ahmed Tinubu) and his entire cabinet start using CNG-powered vehicles themselves, it’s NOT safe—especially in Nigeria, where health and safety are often disregarded.”
Another user, Korddiri, expressed similar concerns: “This whole CNG conversion seems rushed and ill-planned. Also, we are not safety conscious people. I can condone converting petrol generators to gas, not cars. Not until there is an assurance of safety by relevant authorities/manufacturers.”
Fabulous, another netizen, tweeted: “Na mumu dey convert him car to CNG. Until T-Pain and his executive members and all the lawmakers convert their vehicles, I will advise, don’t you ever do that.”
