At least 30 people were killed and 40 others severely injured following a tanker explosion on Tuesday morning along the Bida–Agaie Road in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State.
The tragic incident occurred at around 11am between Essa and Badeggi communities, where a petrol-laden tanker had earlier crashed.
According to eyewitnesses, the victims were scooping fuel from the fallen tanker when it suddenly exploded, engulfing the area in flames.
Sources revealed that many victims were burnt beyond recognition, while the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention.
Confirming the incident, Comrade Farouk Mohammed Kawo, Chairman of the Niger State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and a National Ex-Officio of the Tanker Drivers Association, stated that the tanker had been en route from Lagos to the northern region of Nigeria carrying petroleum products.
“This is a tragic and recurring incident,” Kawo said.
“Many of these accidents happen in the same area. Just this month alone, over 30 tanker-related accidents have occurred along this route.”
He lamented the persistent issue of fuel scooping by locals whenever tankers are involved in accidents, highlighting a similar case that occurred the previous Sunday involving a groundnut oil tanker.
Kawo called on the Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umar Bago, to take urgent action:
“We’re appealing to the state government to grade and rehabilitate this section of the road. It has become a death trap for both motorists and residents. These losses of lives and property are avoidable.”
