By Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
The Kaduna State Police Command has refuted claims of multiple fatalities resulting from a tanker explosion that occurred on Monday at Dan Magaji, asserting that no lives were lost in the incident.
The crash took place around 8:30 a.m. near the Rochas Foundation School along the Kaduna–Kano expressway bypass, between Kwangila and Dan Magaji. It involved two fuel-laden tankers and at least one Volkswagen Golf car.
Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan stated, “At this moment, no deaths have been recorded. All the affected victims are currently in the hospital.” He emphasized that emergency responders swiftly evacuated the injured to nearby medical facilities.
This statement contradicts earlier reports, including one from security analyst Zagazola Makama on X (formerly Twitter), which claimed that several people were killed after the impact triggered at least five explosions, sending flames and thick black smoke into the air and disrupting traffic on the busy highway.
Eyewitnesses alleged that all occupants of the affected Golf car died instantly, except for one driver who sustained severe burns.
Another source reported that four people were injured, attributing the crash to a tanker that was allegedly traveling against traffic and colliding with a parked Golf car.
Emergency services and security personnel cordoned off the scene, diverted motorists to alternative routes, and worked to contain the fire as rescue and recovery operations continued.
The police have assured the public that investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the crash and clarify the conflicting casualty figures.
It was reported that the four injured individuals were taken to the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) in Shika, Zaria.
