At least 30 people are reported to have died, and around 40 others injured, following a fuel tanker explosion in Niger State. The incident occurred around 11 a.m. on the Bida-Agaie road near the Essan and Badeggi communities, where residents were attempting to scoop petrol from the tanker.
Eyewitnesses reported that victims were trapped while trying to collect fuel when the tanker exploded, resulting in severe burns that rendered many victims unrecognizable. The injured have been transported to the Federal Medical Centre in Bida for treatment.
Comrade Farouk Mohammed Kawo, Chairman of the State Tanker Drivers and Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), confirmed the incident, stating that the tanker was en route from Lagos to the northern part of Nigeria when the explosion occurred. He noted that there have been over 30 tanker accidents in the area this month due to the poor condition of the road.
Kawo emphasized the dangers of scooping fuel from accident scenes, despite ongoing efforts to educate the community about the risks involved. He appealed to the federal government for urgent intervention to improve the road conditions and prevent further accidents that endanger lives and property.
Niger State Governor Muhammed Umaru Bago expressed his condolences to the victims’ families, calling the incident “worrisome, unfortunate, and pathetic.” He reiterated the importance of valuing life over material possessions, especially in situations involving fuel accidents.
Governor Bago commended the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) for their prompt response and assured that the state government would provide necessary support to the victims and their families.
