Scene of petrol tanker explosion
At least 35 people have lost their lives, and 46 others sustained serious injuries in a fuel tanker explosion on the Bida–Agaie highway at Essa village in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State.
Confirming the incident on Tuesday in Minna, Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Niger State, Hajiya Aishatu Sa’adu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the explosion occurred after locals rushed to scoop petrol from a fallen tanker.
“Preliminary findings suggest the tanker was involved in a lone accident due to loss of control,” she explained, adding that the tragedy unfolded when the spilled fuel ignited, causing a massive explosion.
The victims, many of whom were severely burnt, were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Bida with help from FRSC personnel, local villagers, and concerned citizens.
Sa’adu issued a strong warning to the public, urging them to stay away from accident scenes, especially involving flammable materials.
“It is God that gives wealth. People should avoid greed and be content with what God has given them,” she cautioned, describing fuel scooping as a “dangerous act that has claimed many lives.”
An eyewitness said the blast occurred around 11 a.m. and left several bodies charred beyond recognition.
Mr. Farouk Kawo, Niger State Chairman of the Tanker Drivers Association and National Ex-Officio of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), confirmed that the tanker was en route from Lagos to the northern part of the country.
He expressed concern over the alarming frequency of accidents on the route, blaming it on the deteriorating condition of the road. “Over 30 tankers have crashed on this road just this October,” Kawo revealed.
He also highlighted the recurring problem of locals scooping products from wrecked tankers: “Just last Sunday, a tanker carrying groundnut oil also crashed, and its contents were looted.”
Kawo appealed to Governor Mohammed Bago and the Niger State Government to urgently address the bad portions of the road.
“If the bad spots are repaired, it will go a long way in preventing further loss of lives and property,” he said.
NAN
