At least 42 people have died and more than 50 others injured after a fuel tanker exploded in Nigeria’s Niger State, turning a roadside scene into an inferno.
The tragic incident occurred along the Bida–Agaie road, near Essan and Badeggi communities in Katcha Local Government Area, after the tanker skidded off the road, crashed, and spilled its fuel.
Witnesses say villagers rushed to collect the leaking petrol, unaware of the danger, before the tanker suddenly exploded, engulfing dozens in flames.
Emergency officials described a horrific scene, with several victims burned beyond recognition. Abdullahi Baba Ara, head of Niger State Emergency Services, confirmed that 52 survivors with varying degrees of burns are being treated in hospital.
The Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, calling it “worrisome, unfortunate, and pathetic.” His spokesperson, Bologi Ibrahim, urged citizens to stop approaching fallen tankers for fuel despite ongoing awareness campaigns.
“It is disheartening how people continue to scoop fuel from fallen tankers despite several warnings,” the governor’s office stated.
Authorities say the tanker was transporting petroleum products from Lagos to northern Nigeria when it crashed, reportedly due to poor road conditions — a recurring cause of fatal road accidents across the country.
Nigeria has suffered multiple tanker-related disasters in recent years. In October 2024, a similar explosion in Jigawa State claimed 153 lives, while in January 2025, a petrol-laden truck overturned near Suleja, also in Niger State, killing 86 people and injuring nearly 70 others.
The latest disaster adds to Nigeria’s grim record of fuel-related tragedies, underscoring urgent calls for better road infrastructure, stricter safety enforcement, and public awareness about the deadly risks of scooping spilled fuel.
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