At least 30 people have died and 40 others sustained serious injuries in a fuel tanker explosion in Niger State, after a crash led to a deadly fire fueled by scooped petroleum.
The incident occurred around 11 a.m. on Tuesday, between Essan and Badeggi communities, along the Bida–Agaie Road in Katcha Local Government Area.
According to eyewitnesses, a petroleum-laden tanker heading from Lagos to the North collided with a trailer and overturned, spilling fuel.
As residents rushed to the scene to scoop leaking fuel, a massive explosion erupted, killing dozens instantly. Many victims were said to be burnt beyond recognition, while the injured were taken to nearby hospitals. Local sources say the death toll may rise due to the severity of injuries.
Comrade Farouk Mohammed Kawo, Chairman of the Niger State branch of the Tanker Drivers Association and NUPENG National Ex-Officio, confirmed the tragedy. He decried the rising number of tanker-related accidents along the route, noting that over 30 incidents had been recorded in October alone.
“This particular stretch of road is in terrible condition. Accidents happen regularly, and locals often scoop fuel, which puts lives at risk,” Kawo said. “We are calling on the state government to intervene urgently.”
He appealed to Governor Mohammed Umar Bago to rehabilitate the failed road section, which he said has become a death trap for motorists and residents alike.
Despite repeated warnings from authorities, fuel scooping remains a widespread and dangerous practice in Nigeria, often ending in fatal explosions.
As of the time of filing this report, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) had not yet released an official statement.
