At least 555 people lost their lives in different petrol tanker explosions across Nigeria between January 2020 and January 2025, data from the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has revealed.
The FRSC Sector Commander in Anambra State, Joyce Alexander, disclosed this on Thursday during a town hall meeting on Tanker and Trailer Safety Challenges in Nigeria held in Awka.
Alexander stated that the crashes, numbering about 80, also left hundreds injured and led to the destruction of buildings, vehicles, and other valuables worth millions of naira.
Breaking down the data, she said 18 tanker explosions in 2020 claimed 161 lives, while 19 explosions in 2021 led to 55 deaths. In 2022, 76 people died from 14 tanker explosions.
The figures surged in 2023, with 118 deaths recorded from 13 incidents, while 85 people lost their lives in 2024 from a similar number of explosions.
“So far, in January 2025 alone, seven tanker explosions have already been recorded,” Alexander said.
She warned that with over 2,000 trucks transporting hydrocarbons daily on Nigerian roads, negligence in safety measures could result in devastating consequences, including environmental pollution, loss of lives, and property damage.
Alexander also condemned the dangerous practice of fuel scooping by residents whenever tanker crashes or spillages occur. She noted that this reckless act significantly increases casualties when fire outbreaks ensue.
“In Anambra, we have recorded four trailer-related crashes in just three months, leading to 24 deaths and several injuries. These accidents are avoidable if proper safety measures are in place,” she stressed.
The FRSC boss said the meeting aimed to develop strategies to curb the frequent tanker crashes and explosions, ultimately saving lives and property.
To enhance road safety, Alexander said the FRSC had implemented measures to enforce the installation of speed-limiting devices and other safety features in haulage vehicles.
She urged tanker operators to prioritise regular vehicle maintenance to prevent brake failures, worn-out tyres, faulty manholes, and unsecured container latching.
“We recommend valid vehicle registration and display, valid driver’s licence class, and stiffer sanctions on operators whose tankers are involved in crashes through legislation,” she said.
She further appealed for the establishment of rest areas along highways to reduce driver fatigue and called on security agencies to ease excessive traffic checkpoints near articulated vehicle routes.
Reacting to the FRSC’s call for fewer checkpoints, the Divisional Police Officer of B-Division, Awka, Uche Noah, insisted that security concerns made it impossible to remove them.
He, however, urged tanker drivers to avoid driving under the influence of alcohol or illicit substances, stressing that such behaviours put lives at risk.
Meanwhile, tanker drivers and transport union members blamed multiple factors for the rising incidents, including poverty, impatience, excessive police checkpoints, economic hardship, and the activities of the Anambra State Road Traffic Management Agency.
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