The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has launched an investigation into a suspected chemical spill following a truck accident on the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the agency’s Assistant Director of Press, Nwamaka Ejiofor, NESREA disclosed that the crash left behind a white, foamy substance, prompting an immediate response from its Kaduna State Field Office.
The statement said the investigation team, led by the State Coordinator, Hena Emmanuel, visited the scene and met with key stakeholders, including the Jere Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police Sani Zubairu, the Federal Road Safety Corps commander in the area and the community leader.
According to the agency, preliminary findings suggest that the accident involved a heavy-duty truck, leading to the spillage of its cargo.
NESREA said it had gathered information from security agencies, relevant authorities and residents as part of efforts to determine the cause and nature of the incident.
It added that samples of the foamy substance, nearby soil and water from a neighbouring stream had been collected for laboratory testing to identify the material and assess any potential environmental risks.
The agency urged residents and road users to stay away from the substance, as well as the affected soil and water, until the investigation is completed.
It noted that the warning is intended to protect the public from possible exposure to hazardous substances.