On January 18, 2025, in the early morning hours, along the Abuja-Kaduna highway near Suleja, Niger State, Nigeria, another terrible occurrence took place. A fuel tanker carrying about 60,000 liters of petrol overturned at the Dikko Junction. News of the accident spread quickly, and local residents, who did not think twice, including women and children, rushed to the scene to collect the spilling fuel, a practice that is not new in areas where fuel scarcity and poverty prevail.
Tragically, in siphoning petrol from the fallen tanker into another vehicle, a generator was used to facilitate the process. It was this generator that ignited the highly volatile vapors and caused an instant explosion. The explosion was of such magnitude that at least 70 people died on the spot, many of them burned beyond recognition. Besides that, 55 others were injured with wounds of different kinds and were rushed to nearby hospitals for emergency medical treatment.
The aftermath was horrific: charred remains of vehicles, destroyed properties, and the smell of burnt fuel lingering in the air. The families were mourning the sudden loss of their loved ones, and the community was plunged into deep sorrow. Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State expressed his sadness, stating that the incident was “worrisome, heartbreaking, and unfortunate.” He said that there is a need for increased awareness among the general public of the dangers involved in siphoning fuel and stricter safety regulations in order to avoid such tragedies in the future.
This is another in a string of disasters related to fuel transportation and the dangerous business of fuel scavenging that recurs in Nigeria. In September 2024, 48 people lost their lives due to a similar explosion in Agaie Local Government Area of Niger State. These recurring disasters call for a strong implementation of general safety measures and public enlightenment to avert such incidents in the future.
With so much to clean up, in comes the chorus for reforms as well. Proper transportation of flammable commodities, awareness within the public as well with regards to the risks resulting from fuel scavenging, besides various openings for economic advantage that would prohibit such hazardous deals are needed. Indeed, the whole nation is pitted and prays no such tragedy occur with victims in the process, which totally could have been avoidable.
