‘Many killed’ as petrol tanker explodes in Niger state community

A petrol tanker explosion in the Essa community along the Agaie–Bida road in the Katcha LGA of Niger state has reportedly claimed the lives of many residents.

TheCable understands that the accident occurred on Tuesday afternoon after the tanker tumbled on the road.

Residents reportedly went to the scene to scoop the petrol after the tanker tumbled.

According to a social media user, Mohammad Sonmaji, who posted the video of the incident on Facebook, several injured residents were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Reacting to the incident in a statement, Umar Bago, governor of Niger state, described the incident as “worrisome, unfortunate, and pathetic”.

Bago said it is “disheartening” that residents “continued to approach a fallen tanker to scoop its contents despite several sensitisations on the danger of such action”.

“The farmer governor prays that Allah will repose the souls of those who died in the explosion and grant quick recovery to the injured,” Bago was quoted in a statement by Bologi Ibrahim, his chief press secretary (CPS).

“He said it is disheartening how people have continued to approach a fallen tanker to scoop its contents despite several sensitisations on the danger of such action.

“The farmer governor enjoined the people to value their lives no matter the situation.

“He commends the management and staff of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) for its prompt intervention, assuring that the state government through relevant MDAs will provide the needed support.”

Officials of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) are currently at the scene for rescue operations.

This is not the first time residents would be killed while scooping fuel from a fuel-laden tanker.

In October 2024, over 100 people were confirmed dead after a petrol-laden tanker exploded at the Kano-Hadejia expressway in Jigawa state.

Most of the victims were trying to scoop petrol from the tanker after it tipped over.

In Nigeria, whenever a fuel-laden tanker tumbles and spills its contents, residents and passersby besiege the scene with buckets, jerrycans and other containers.