CNG Explosion in Benin City Injures Several, Sparks Safety Concerns

A compressed natural gas (CNG) tank explosion at a NIPCO station in Aduwawa, Benin City, Edo State, has left several people injured.

Although no fatalities have been reported, the incident has sparked serious safety concerns.

Footage of the aftermath, shared widely on X (formerly known as Twitter), shows the devastating scene. A station wagon, with its rear section completely destroyed, was surrounded by debris scattered across the station.

Several nearby cars were also damaged, displaying visible dents from the blast. Reports suggest the explosion occurred while the station wagon’s CNG cylinder was being refueled.

The video revealed multiple injured individuals, with the person filming pointing out that one victim, whose leg may have been severed, had already been rushed to the hospital. Blood stains from the injured were visible on the ground.

At one point in the 3-minute, 22-second video, the ruptured CNG cylinder from the exploded vehicle is shown, with a large section torn off. Onlookers speculated that the cylinder appeared to be locally made, raising concerns about its quality and safety.

This incident has highlighted the dangers of mishandling and improper maintenance of CNG equipment, underscoring the importance of strict safety measures at refuelling stations.

The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) responded to the explosion via its official X account on Thursday. The PCNGI expressed its concern for the injured and offered condolences while confirming that no lives were lost.

In a statement, PCNGI stressed the importance of safe handling of all hydrocarbons and revealed that an investigation showed the cylinder involved had been poorly welded and modified, making it unsuitable for CNG use.

The statement also noted that the police, regulatory authorities, and NIPCO management are currently investigating the incident, with PCNGI overseeing the coordination efforts.

This explosion underscores the need for the upcoming Nigeria Gas Vehicle Monitoring System, which aims to ensure that CNG remains a safe and clean fuel option. PCNGI urged all stakeholders to follow new regulations and use only accredited conversion centres to guarantee safety.