JUST IN: Over 30 Feared Dead, Dozens Injured in Niger State Tanker Explosion

At least 30 people are feared dead and about 40 others injured following a tanker explosion on Tuesday in Niger State. The incident occurred around 11 a.m. in the Essan and Badeggi communities along the Bida–Agaie road in Katcha Local Government Area.

According to eyewitnesses, the tragedy happened when residents were scooping fuel from a fallen tanker that suddenly exploded, triggering a massive fire that engulfed several people. Many of the victims were burnt beyond recognition, while the injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.

The Chairman of the Niger State Tanker Drivers Association and National Ex-Officio of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Comrade Farouk Kawo, described the explosion as “devastating and avoidable.” He confirmed that the tanker was transporting petroleum products from Lagos to northern Nigeria when it crashed.

Kawo lamented the frequency of such incidents, noting that more than 30 tanker accidents had been recorded along the Bida–Agaie route in October alone. He blamed the rising number of crashes on the poor condition of the road and criticized the recurring practice of residents rushing to scoop spilled fuel despite numerous warnings.

“Just last Sunday, a tanker carrying groundnut oil also crashed in the same area, and residents rushed to scoop the product,” he said.

Efforts to reach the Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba-Arah, were unsuccessful as calls to his phone went unanswered.

Kawo appealed to Governor Umaru Bago to urgently rehabilitate the damaged portion of the Bida–Agaie road to prevent further tragedies and protect lives and property.