Explosion scene Authorities warn against scooping fuel from accident scenes after another deadly tanker blast claims dozens of lives along Agaie–Bida road
At least thirty-nine people have lost their lives, while more than sixty others sustained severe injuries following a devastating fuel tanker explosion in Niger State on Tuesday. The tragic incident occurred in the Essa community, located along the Agaie–Bida road in Katcha Local Government Area, when a petrol-laden articulated vehicle overturned and later exploded.
According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the tanker reportedly tumbled around 3:45 p.m., spilling its content onto the road. Witnesses said several residents rushed to the scene to scoop the leaking petrol before the vehicle suddenly burst into flames, engulfing the area and trapping many of those present.
In a statement released by NEMA, the agency confirmed that thirty-nine persons were killed in the inferno, while over sixty others, including men, women, and children, sustained varying degrees of burns. The Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, upon receiving the distress call, immediately directed the Head of NEMA Minna Operations Office, Mr. Hussaini Isah, to mobilize a rescue team to the site to assist the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) and other first responders in managing the situation.
Rescue teams worked tirelessly to recover the victims and convey the injured to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment. The remains of those who lost their lives were evacuated from the scene under difficult conditions, as the intensity of the explosion left many bodies badly burnt and unrecognizable.
While commiserating with the victims and their families, Mrs. Umar expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and reiterated the agency’s appeal to members of the public to avoid scooping fuel from accident scenes. She stressed that such acts of desperation have repeatedly led to needless tragedies and warned that residents should allow trained emergency responders to handle such incidents.
“The public must understand that approaching a fallen tanker to scoop fuel is extremely dangerous and has caused countless avoidable deaths across the country,” she said. “We urge everyone to steer clear of accident sites and immediately alert emergency agencies when such incidents occur.”
Similarly, Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, described the incident as “disheartening,” lamenting that despite numerous awareness campaigns and safety sensitization programs, some residents still risk their lives to collect spilled fuel from fallen tankers. He called on community leaders, religious organizations, and media outlets to intensify enlightenment efforts to discourage such hazardous practices.
This latest tragedy adds to a growing list of fatal tanker explosions in Nigeria linked to fuel scooping. In October 2024, over one hundred people were confirmed dead after a similar incident occurred along the Kano–Hadejia expressway in Jigawa State, where locals had rushed to collect petrol from an overturned tanker before it exploded.
As investigations into the Niger State explosion continue, emergency officials have emphasized the urgent need for public education on disaster response and safety around hazardous materials. The incident once again highlights the deadly consequences of ignorance and desperation, serving as a grim reminder of the importance of vigilance and adherence to safety warnings in the face of danger.
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