The residents of Byazhin in Kubwa, Abuja, woke up to panic on Sunday morning when a cooking gas plant at Liberty Junction went up in flames. The FCT Police Command now says a motorist driving against traffic caused the Kubwa gas plant fire when he ploughed into the facility.
The police spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, gave details in a statement on Sunday, September 27, 2026. She said a resident called in a distress alert at about 6:30am, prompting the Command to send men from the Kubwa Division to the scene.
On arrival, the officers found a fire that had already jumped from the gas plant to neighboring shops and other structures. Firefighters from the Federal Fire Service were called in and worked to bring the flames under control.
Preliminary findings show that the culprit was behind the wheel of an unregistered Toyota 4Runner. The vehicle was reportedly going the wrong way when the driver lost control and slammed into the gas facility. Rather than stay back and help, he and his passengers took to their heels.
That escape may not last long. According to the police, the driver’s identity is already known, and a manhunt is on to bring him in. The Command also confirmed that nobody was hurt or killed in the incident, though it is yet to put a figure on the value of goods and property lost to the Kubwa gas plant fire.
SP Adeh added that calm has returned to the area and business has resumed. She urged residents to keep their eyes open and report anything suspicious to the nearest station or call the emergency lines at 08032003913 and 08028940883.
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The Backstory: Why Gas Plants Beside Busy Roads Keep Residents on Edge
In fast-growing Abuja suburbs like Kubwa, small gas plants and refilling points now sit right beside homes, markets, and busy roads. With more households switching to cooking gas, these outlets have multiplied, often with little space between them and the crowd around.
That closeness is the real worry. Nigeria has recorded several gas explosions and fire disasters in recent years, many blamed on weak safety checks and poor regulation. Experts have long called for stricter rules on where such facilities can be located and for stronger action against reckless driving, which can turn an ordinary morning into a tragedy in seconds.
Thankfully, no life was lost this time. Still, the Kubwa gas plant fire is a fresh reminder that one careless move on the road can put an entire neighborhood at risk.
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