At least 35 people have been confirmed dead and 46 others injured after a fuel-laden tanker exploded while residents were scooping petrol from it along the Agaie–Bida Road in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State.
The tragic incident occurred around 11 a.m. on Monday in Essan community, following the crash of a tanker carrying petrol from Lagos.
According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Spokesperson, Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide, the tanker lost control due to the poor state of the road and overturned.
He said: “Moments after the crash, residents of the area reportedly trooped to the scene to scoop fuel from the fallen tanker. Tragedy struck when the volatile substance ignited, resulting in an inferno that consumed 35 victims and destroyed properties.”
The Niger State Chairman of the Tanker Drivers Association and National Ex-Officio of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Comrade Farouk Mohammed Kawo, confirmed that the tanker was en route from Lagos.
He lamented that more than 30 tanker trailers had been involved in accidents within the same area this month due to the deplorable state of the road.
Kawo added that despite frequent accidents, youths in the community continued to scoop fuel from fallen tankers. “Last Sunday, a tanker trailer carrying groundnut oil had an accident, and its product was scooped,” he said.
He appealed to the state government to urgently rehabilitate the damaged section of the road to prevent further tragedies.
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, in a statement, described the incident as “worrisome, unfortunate, and pathetic.”
“This is yet another painful, difficult, and tragic one for the people and the state government,” the governor said. He expressed dismay over the recurring practice of residents rushing to scoop fuel despite repeated warnings on its dangers and urged citizens to place more value on their lives.
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) also expressed grief over the incident.
NGF Chairman and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, condoled with the government and people of Niger State, particularly the families of the victims.
“Our sympathies are with every family that is affected in this unfortunate incident. We commend all the emergency responders for their humanitarian assistance to the victims. This disaster again calls attention to safety issues in every aspect of our life. This is particularly important in how combustible items are stored and transported at every stage,” he stated.
