By Mary Onyia
35 people have reportedly died and 46 others injured in a fatal tanker explosion along the Bida–Lapai route in Niger State. The Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, said the tragedy unfolded on Tuesday afternoon when a fuel-laden tanker lost control and overturned due to poor road conditions. Residents rushed to the scene to scoop spilled petrol, but the volatile fuel ignited, resulting in horrific casualties.
Emergency responders from the FRSC and the Niger State Fire Service worked together to extinguish the flames and provide urgent medical care to survivors. The FRSC, mourning the loss of lives, described the incident as a heartbreaking consequence of ignoring safety warnings and underscored the need for caution around hazardous spill areas.
In a statement by Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed, he said:This is not just a crash; it is a painful reminder that every time people ignore safety advice and rush to scoop petrol, they gamble with their lives. No litre of fuel is worth a human life,” he stated.
The statement claimed that most of the high fatalities recorded in 2024 were also linked to fuel scooping, while primary crashes involving tankers did not claim any lives
Mohammed further urged Nigerians to resist the dangerous practice of fuel scooping, stressing that no litre of petrol is worth more than a human life. He called for stronger community sensitization, particularly in high-risk and rural areas, and appealed to traditional and local leaders to help spread awareness about the deadly risks involved.
The FRSC reaffirmed its commitment to preventing such tragedies through public enlightenment and strict enforcement of safety standards. The agency encourages the public to report incidents involving tankers or hazardous materials immediately via its toll-free emergency number, 122, rather than putting lives at further risk.