Tragedy As 30 Die, 40 Injured in Niger Fuel Tanker Explosion

No fewer than 30 people were reportedly killed and about 40 others injured when a fuel tanker exploded on Monday morning at Essan and Badeggi communities along the Bida–Agaie road in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State.

The tragic incident occurred around 11 a.m. when residents trooped to the scene of an accident involving a petrol-laden tanker and began scooping fuel that spilled onto the road.

An eyewitness told our correspondent that the victims were trapped and burnt beyond recognition after the tanker suddenly exploded.

“They were scooping petrol from the tanker when it burst into flames. Many people were burnt beyond recognition while others sustained serious burns and were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Bida,” the source said.

Confirming the development, the Chairman of the Niger State Tanker Drivers Association and National Ex-Officio of NUPENG, Comrade Farouk Mohammed Kawo, described the incident as “tragic and preventable.”

“Reports we received indicated that the tanker was coming from Lagos and heading to the northern part of the country before the explosion occurred,” he said.

Kawo lamented that despite repeated warnings to residents about the dangers of scooping fuel, many still ignored safety advice.

“Within this month alone, over 30 tanker trailers have been involved in accidents along that stretch because of the bad condition of the road,” he added.

“We have consistently warned the people, especially the youth, against rushing to accident scenes to scoop products, but they will not listen.”

He recalled that only last Sunday, a tanker carrying groundnut oil had an accident in the same area, and residents also rushed to scoop the product.

Kawo appealed to the federal government to urgently fix the Bida-Agaie-Lapai road, describing it as a death trap for motorists and tanker drivers.

“We are tired of losing lives and property on this road. It has become a recurring tragedy that can be avoided with prompt government intervention,” he said.

The highway, which links Niger and Kwara states, has been in a deplorable condition for years, with several fatal accidents recorded in recent months.

The Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, the governor described the explosion as “worrisome, unfortunate, and pathetic.”

“This is yet another painful and tragic incident for our people. It is disheartening how some residents continue to approach fallen tankers despite several warnings about the danger of such actions,” the governor said.

“People must begin to value their lives more than material things, no matter their circumstances.”

Bago commended the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) for its swift response and assured that the state government, through relevant agencies, would support victims and their families.