A petrol tanker explosion in Dikko, Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State, has left at least 60 people dead, according to authorities.
The incident, which occurred on Friday, has been described as one of the deadliest in recent years, as victims were burnt to death while attempting to scoop fuel from the fallen tanker.
The Niger State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kumar Tsukwam, confirmed the casualty figures on Saturday, revealing that the fuel-laden tanker, owned by HMY Oil and Gas, was en route to Gwagwalada in the Federal Capital Territory from Lagos when the tragedy struck.
According to Mr. Tsukwam, the tanker, bearing registration number KBG-103-XAX, was carrying 60,000 litres of petrol when its body detached from the vehicle’s head, causing it to fall. Despite warnings, scavengers rushed to the scene to collect the spilled fuel.
“The victims were mostly scavengers who gathered to scoop fuel despite attempts to stop them,” Mr. Tsukwam said.
He added that the fire from the explosion spread to another tanker nearby, exacerbating the destruction.
The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullah Arah, suggested that the explosion may have been triggered by the use of a generator during an attempt to transfer fuel from the fallen tanker to another vehicle.
Emergency responders were promptly deployed to the scene, and investigations into the cause of the explosion are ongoing.
This tragic incident highlights the recurring dangers of fuel-related accidents in Nigeria, where the illegal scooping of petroleum products has led to numerous fatalities over the years.
Despite repeated warnings by authorities, the lure of free fuel often leads to catastrophic consequences.
Meanwhile, local officials have called for improved tanker safety standards and stricter enforcement of regulations to prevent such tragedies.
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