Once again, the nation mourns. Last week, in Essa community, Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State, tragedy struck as no fewer than 57 Nigerians lost their lives in yet another tanker explosion. Many others sustained severe burns in an incident that, sadly, mirrors a recurring national tragedy.
According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), 1,531 petrol tanker crashes occurred in 2020 alone, claiming 535 lives and injuring 1,142 people. Even more damning is the report by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) that at least 1,500 Nigerians have died in tanker explosions over the past 15 years, though some estimates put the figure closer to 3,500. In January this year, over 70 people died in similar circumstances in Niger State. FRSC statistics show that at least 411 Nigerians lost their lives in 2024 while attempting to scoop fuel.
Whenever a tanker overturns and spills fuel, crowds often rush to the scene with jerry cans eager to scoop petrol as though it were a gift from heaven. Yet, in seconds, that perceived blessing turns into a fiery nightmare, with bodies burnt beyond recognition and families thrown into eternal grief. These numbers compel a painful but necessary question: what drives this deadly behaviour in the face of obvious danger?
Poverty, no doubt, plays a major role. For many struggling Nigerians, the prospect of getting free fuel, something they could use or sell, is a tempting escape from hardship. But this illusion is nothing but death disguised as opportunity. Beyond poverty, ignorance is also a major factor. Many do not understand the volatility of petrol. The slightest spark, from a phone, motorcycle, or even static electricity, can ignite a catastrophic inferno.
Still, the blame does not rest solely on the people. Government failure in infrastructure provision and maintenance and emergency response also contribute to these tragedies. Many of these tanker accidents occur on roads riddled with potholes and craters. Drivers, in a bid to navigate these death traps, often lose control of their vehicles. The recent accident along the dilapidated Bida–Agaie road is a stark example. It is time for authorities to act decisively. Security agencies, FRSC, and emergency responders must cordon off such scenes and keep the public away until the danger is contained. Beyond reactive measures, however, government must fix the roads, regulate tanker movements, and enforce stricter safety standards for fuel transport. The nation’s pipeline and railways systems should be revived to safely transport fuel.
Equally important is public enlightenment. The National Orientation Agency (NOA), FRSC, local governments, traditional rulers and religious leaders should synergise and intensify safety campaigns to educate citizens on the deadly risks of scooping fuel. Nigerians must learn that petrol is not worth any human life. How many more lives must be lost before we learn?
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