Tragedy as CNG-powered vehicle explodes in Benin

A Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered vehicle exploded on Thursday at the Nigerian Independent Petroleum Company (NIPCO) filling station while its cylinder was being filled.

The Nigerian Tribune gathered that the vehicle, one of many in the city that had recently adopted CNG as an alternative fuel, had a locally fabricated cylinder attached to it.

One of the workers at the NIPCO filling station on the Aduwawa end of Benin metropolis, where the explosion occurred, confirmed that the incident was caused by a fake CNG cylinder fabricated by a welder for the vehicle owner.

It was further gathered that the cylinder exploded while being filled, leaving many people seriously injured. One of the victims lost a leg entirely, while others sustained various degrees of injuries.

Following the incident, workers at the filling station began screening all heavy trucks and commercial vehicles in line for refueling to ensure compliance with the necessary safety regulations.

The scene of the explosion was barricaded with red tape, and bloodstains were visible at the site of the blast.

The welder responsible for fabricating the faulty cylinder has reportedly been arrested for further investigation.

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An official from NIPCO, who had left the scene shortly before the explosion, said he narrowly escaped the incident, which occurred barely an hour after his departure. He added that three people were critically injured and are currently receiving treatment at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).

“One of my staff members was directly involved and is now being treated at UBTH. Another victim suffered eye injuries, and one had his leg completely severed. I was just lucky to have left the area before the explosion,” the NIPCO official, who wished to remain anonymous, stated.

“A nearby welder fabricated the faulty CNG cylinder that caused the explosion. I don’t understand why some people would endanger their own lives and others’ by fabricating such cylinders,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNGI) confirmed the incident on its X handle (formerly Twitter), describing it as unfortunate and attributing it to an illegally modified vehicle.

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“The PCNGI sympathizes with those injured in this avoidable incident and is thankful that no lives were lost. The PCNGI also notes that safe handling of all hydrocarbons is critical for their safe use.

“A close examination of the cylinder in question in Benin City shows it was welded and modified, and not approved for use with CNG. The police, regulatory authorities, and NIPCO management are conducting a thorough investigation, and we are coordinating with them.

“This incident highlights the importance of the soon-to-be-launched Nigeria Gas Vehicle Monitoring System, developed with SON, NMDPRA, NADDC, and FRSC, to address bad actors in the ecosystem who make this safer, cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable source of fuel dangerous for all.

“We call on all stakeholders to cooperate with the new regulatory system and ensure full compliance. Only accredited conversion centers should be used, and the safe handling of CNG, like petrol, is crucial for the safety of everyone involved.”