At least 42 people have lost their lives in a fuel tanker explosion in Niger State, central Nigeria, after an oil-laden vehicle skidded off the road and crashed, spilling its contents.
According to Abdullahi Baba Ara, head of the Niger State Emergency Service, 52 others sustained severe burns and varying degrees of injuries and are currently receiving treatment at a nearby hospital.
The incident occurred on the Bida-Agaie road, between Essan and Badeggi communities in Katcha Local Government Area, when a tanker transporting petroleum products from Lagos to northern Nigeria veered off the poorly maintained road and overturned.
Local residents, unaware of the imminent danger, rushed to scoop leaking fuel from the fallen tanker. Moments later, a massive explosion erupted, triggering a raging fire that engulfed dozens of people.
Emergency officials reported that many victims were burned beyond recognition, while rescue workers battled the inferno to recover bodies and rush survivors to the hospital.
Fuel tanker explosions remain a recurring tragedy in Nigeria, often linked to poor road conditions, reckless driving, and unsafe fuel scavenging.
Despite repeated public awareness campaigns warning citizens against collecting spilled fuel, such incidents continue to claim lives nationwide.
Just last year, 153 people were killed in a similar explosion in Jigawa State, while in January 2025, another tanker carrying 60,000 litres of petrol overturned near Suleja, also in Niger State, killing at least 86 people and injuring 70 others.
Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago expressed deep sorrow over the tragic event, describing it as “worrisome, unfortunate, and pathetic.”
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, the governor lamented that citizens continue to risk their lives by approaching fallen tankers to scoop fuel, despite consistent warnings.
“It is disheartening how people have continued to approach a fallen tanker to scoop its contents,” the statement read.
Governor Bago extended his condolences to the victims’ families and pledged that the state government will support medical treatment efforts for the injured while reinforcing public education on fuel safety.
Experts say Nigeria’s deteriorating road infrastructure remains a key factor in many tanker accidents.
The crashed tanker was reportedly navigating a badly damaged stretch of the Bida-Agaie highway, a route notorious for potholes and heavy-duty vehicle accidents.
Authorities have renewed calls for urgent road rehabilitation and stricter enforcement of transport safety regulations to prevent future tragedies.
NOTES
Response: State government vows improved awareness and medical aid for victims.
Death Toll: At least 42 confirmed dead, 52 injured.
Location: Bida-Agaie Road, Katcha LGA, Niger State.
Cause: Tanker skidded off bad road, spilled fuel ignited by unknown source.
Trend: Recurring fuel tanker explosions in Nigeria due to poor roads and unsafe fuel scavenging.
