Three hospitalised as CNG vehicle explodes at NIPCO filling station in Benin

A Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered vehicle exploded at a NIPCO filling station along the Benin-Auchi Expressway in Edo State on Wednesday, leaving three people severely injured.

According to reports, one motorist sustained eye injuries, while two others were also badly affected. A woman suffered a severe abdominal injury, and another victim had their foot amputated due to the blast. All three are currently receiving treatment at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Ugbowo.

An attendant at the station informed The Punch on Thursday that the explosion was traced to a cylinder fabricated by a welder without proper authorization. The welder has since turned himself in to the police.

“The explosion happened while vehicles were queuing to refill their cylinders. The vehicle being attended to suddenly exploded. A motorist sustained eye injuries, a woman’s stomach was torn open, and another person’s foot was amputated. They are now at UBTH, and we hope for their full recovery,” the source said.

When the publication visited the scene, a technician was inspecting cylinders before refueling resumed. Efforts to reach the station manager were unsuccessful.

Joshua Uwaila, Public Relations Officer of UBTH, confirmed that the man with the eye injury was in stable condition.