Fuel Tanker Explosion Kills 29 in Niger State

At least 29 people have been confirmed dead and 42 others injured after a fuel tanker overturned and exploded on Tuesday along the Bida–Agaie highway in Niger State.

According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the accident occurred when a tanker carrying petrol lost control, overturned, and began leaking fuel. Residents reportedly rushed to scoop the fuel before the vehicle exploded, resulting in a devastating fire.

“A lorry carrying fuel overturned and began to leak. People went to scoop up the fuel. The truck exploded and they got burnt,” said Ibrahim Hussaini, NEMA’s local coordinator.

Tanker explosions are common in Nigeria, where poor road conditions, speeding, and reckless driving often lead to accidents. In many cases, locals attempting to collect spilled fuel become victims of such deadly incidents.

President Bola Tinubu’s removal of fuel subsidies in 2023, intended to stabilize the economy, has worsened living conditions, leading some Nigerians to take dangerous risks in search of cheaper petrol.

This latest tragedy follows several similar incidents in recent years. In January, 98 people were killed in Niger State while scooping fuel from a crashed tanker, and in March, 10 people died in a tanker fire near Abuja.

After the January explosion, President Tinubu ordered a nationwide awareness campaign on the dangers and environmental hazards of collecting fuel from accident scenes.

Rescue teams have since cleared the area, while authorities continue efforts to identify the victims and support the injured.