AT LEAST 30 FEARED DEAD, 40 INJURED IN TANKER EXPLOSION IN NIGER STATE
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Tragedy struck along the Bida-Agaie road in Katcha Local Government Area as a fuel tanker exploded on Tuesday morning, resulting in at least 30 feared dead and about 40 others seriously injured.
The incident occurred around 11 a.m. when the tanker, conveying petroleum, tipped in the Essan and Badeggi communities. The victims were reportedly trapped while attempting to scoop fuel from the overturned vehicle when it suddenly detonated, causing many to be “burned beyond recognition.”
Officials from the Niger State Emergency Management Agency along with local first responders immediately rushed the injured to the Federal Medical Centre, Bida for treatment. Plant and union sources say the tanker was en route from Lagos heading north before the tragedy occurred.
For months, the route has been labelled a death-trap for tanker operations, with numerous warnings issued over the poor road conditions. According to the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), over 30 tanker-related accidents have occurred on this stretch alone in the past month.
Governor Umaru Bago expressed his condolences to the affected communities, lamenting the repeated incidents which he called “unfortunate and painful.” He appealed to residents to stay clear of accident scenes involving fuel spills, stressing that life must be valued above short-term gain.
Efforts have now begun to secure the accident site, provide support to victims and their families, and examine underlying causes. Calls are mounting for urgent intervention to fix the road and enforce safety measures to prevent such catastrophic events.
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