At least 30 people have reportedly lost their lives with about 40 others injured after a tanker carrying fuel exploded on Tuesday along the Bida–Agaie road in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State.
According to Channels, the explosion, which happened around 11 a.m. at Essan and Badeggi communities, occurred after residents began scooping fuel from the fallen tanker.
Eyes witness report that the vehicle suddenly caught fire, causing a massive explosion that burned many people beyond recognition.
Those who survived the explosion were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment, while emergency workers recovered several charred bodies from the scene.
Confirming the incident, the Chairman of the Niger State Tanker Drivers Association and National Ex-Officio of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, Comrade Farouk Kawo, described the explosion as “devastating and avoidable.”
According to him, the tanker was loaded with petroleum products from Lagos and heading to the northern part of the country when it crashed.
“Over 30 tanker trailers have been involved in accidents this month alone along the Bida–Agaie road. That is very bad for motorists using the route,” Kawo said.
He blamed the repeated accidents on the poor state of the road and urged Governor Mohammed Umar Bago to fix it urgently to prevent further tragedies.
Kawo also cautioned youths against the habit of scooping fuel from accident scenes. “Just last Sunday, a tanker carrying groundnut oil crashed in the same area, and people rushed to collect it despite the risks,” he added.
He appealed to the state government to urgently rehabilitate the affected road to reduce the rising number of accidents and deaths.
