Birthday Picnic Turns Heroic as Abuja Man Saves Four From Burning Car

What began as a cheerful birthday picnic at the Millennium Park in Abuja turned into a scene of chaos and courage on Saturday evening after a white car carrying four young men lost control, crashed near the park, and burst into flames.

Also Read: FRSC Reports 6,858 Road Crashes, 3,433 Deaths in Nine Months

Eyewitnesses said the incident occurred at around 5:00 p.m., during a staff picnic organized by @Kani_Global to celebrate a team member’s birthday. The joyful gathering quickly transformed into panic as the car veered off the road and ignited upon impact, trapping all four occupants inside.

According to accounts shared by those present, the crash happened just meters away from the celebrants.

“We were playing games and laughing when suddenly we heard a loud bang,” one attendee recalled. “Before we could understand what happened, the car was already on fire.”

While most onlookers fled for safety, one of the celebrants identified only as a Kani Global staff member, made a split-second decision that would save lives.

“I wanted to run too,” he said, “but I remembered how fast cars explode when they catch fire. I told myself, ‘If I don’t move now, these boys will burn alive.’”

Without hesitation, he dashed toward the burning vehicle and managed to pull out the first victim. Moments later, members of the Kani Global workforce joined in, breaking open doors and dragging the remaining passengers to safety just before the car exploded.

“Come Back! Come Back!” — Witnesses Recall the Tense Seconds

Witnesses said the scene was filled with screams and confusion. Many pleaded with the rescuers to retreat as the fire intensified.

“All we could hear were people shouting ‘Come back! Come back!’” another eyewitness recounted. “But they didn’t stop. It was like they knew there was no time left.”

In a particularly daring move, one rescuer reportedly entered the burning vehicle to unlock the driver’s seat belt, allowing the team to pull him out seconds before the fire consumed the front cabin.

Within minutes of the last victim being rescued, the car exploded, sending thick smoke and flames into the evening sky. The crowd watched in disbelief as the vehicle was reduced to ashes, realizing how close the rescuers had come to disaster.

“All four young men were pulled out alive, though with varying degrees of burns and injuries,” a bystander told RoadKing.ng. “They were immediately rushed to the hospital for emergency care.”

The Federal Fire Service (@fedfire_ng) arrived promptly to extinguish the remaining fire, preventing it from spreading to nearby park facilities.

Following the rescue, those involved had to wash off and change clothes due to the blood and fuel stains on their bodies.
“There was so much blood. We were scared, but grateful,” the celebrant said. “Glory to God, He truly wanted to save those boys. It could have ended very differently.”

Videos and photos of the aftermath began circulating on social media late Saturday night, with many Nigerians calling the rescuers “heroes” for their selfless bravery.

As of press time, emergency officials confirmed that investigations were underway to determine the cause of the crash. Preliminary reports suggest the vehicle may have been speeding before losing control.

The FRSC and fire officials have once again urged motorists to avoid reckless driving within populated areas, warning that such accidents often escalate into fatalities due to late response and panic at crash scenes.

The Millennium Park incident serves as a rare story of hope amid the rising tide of road tragedies across Nigeria. In a nation where most witnesses record rather than respond, the actions of these ordinary citizens remind us that courage is still alive.

Their decision to act, despite fear, despite danger made the difference between four funerals and four survivors.