The death toll from the devastating tanker explosion in Niger State has risen to 57, with many more injured in the horrific accident that occurred near Essan village along the Bida–Agaie Road in Katcha Local Government Area. The explosion happened after a fuel tanker conveying petroleum products from Lagos overturned and ignited, engulfing numerous residents who had gathered to scoop fuel from the wreckage.
Witnesses reported the fire broke out shortly after the tanker spilled its contents, trapping and burning several people instantly. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed the rising casualties, with more than 60 people severely burned and rushed to hospitals, including Federal Medical Centre Bida and Lapai General Hospital, for emergency treatment.
The tragedy highlights the persistent dangers on Nigeria’s poorly maintained roads, as the tanker reportedly crashed into a bad stretch of the route notorious for frequent accidents. Local tanker drivers and union leaders have urged urgent road repairs to prevent further catastrophes, noting that this stretch has seen over 30 tanker accidents in October alone.
Authorities have also warned the public against the dangerous practice of scooping fuel from accident scenes due to the extreme risk involved. Condolences poured in from Nigerian leaders, including President Tinubu and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, who expressed sympathy to the victims' families and reaffirmed the need for urgent safety reforms.
This latest incident underlines the critical need for infrastructure upgrades, stricter safety protocols for petroleum transport, and increased public awareness to prevent recurrence of such deadly accidents in Nigeria.