Tragedy struck on Tuesday in Niger State as a fuel tanker explosion claimed over 30 lives and left about 40 others severely injured in the Essan and Badeggi communities along the Bida–Agaie road in Katcha Local Government Area.
The deadly incident, which occurred around 11 a.m., reportedly began when a tanker laden with petroleum products lost control, overturned, and spilled its contents onto the road. Eyewitnesses said scores of residents rushed to the scene to scoop fuel before the vehicle suddenly exploded, triggering a massive inferno that consumed dozens on the spot.
According to reports, several victims were burnt beyond recognition, while the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment. Charred remains and burnt motorcycles were seen scattered along the highway as emergency responders battled to contain the fire.
Chairman of the Niger State Tanker Drivers Association and National Ex-Officio of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Comrade Farouk Kawo, described the explosion as “devastating and avoidable.”
He revealed that the ill-fated tanker was transporting petrol from Lagos to the northern region when it lost control and crashed. Kawo blamed the incident on the deplorable state of the Bida–Agaie road, lamenting that more than 30 tanker accidents had occurred on the same route in October alone.
“The road is in terrible shape, and this disaster could have been prevented. Unfortunately, some youths ignore repeated warnings and rush to scoop fuel whenever such accidents occur,” Kawo said.
He recalled that just two days earlier, another tanker carrying groundnut oil had crashed in the same area, prompting residents to engage in the dangerous practice of scooping spilled products.
Efforts to reach the Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba-Arah, were unsuccessful, as calls to his phone went unanswered at the time of filing this report.
Kawo appealed to Governor Umaru Bago to urgently rehabilitate the dilapidated Bida–Agaie road, warning that continued neglect could lead to more catastrophic losses.
“This loss is unbearable. Government intervention is no longer optional; it’s a matter of saving lives,” he stressed.
The latest tragedy adds to the growing list of fatal tanker explosions in Niger State, underscoring urgent calls for improved road infrastructure and stricter enforcement of safety measures for petroleum transporters across the country.