• Home
  • Anti-Corruption
  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
  • National
    • Government
  • Security
  • Features
  • State
  • Event
    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper
Search
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
Sign in
Welcome! Log into your account
Forgot your password? Get help
Password recovery
Recover your password
A password will be e-mailed to you.
PRNIGERIA PRNigeria News
PRNIGERIA PRNIGERIA
  • Home
  • Anti-Corruption
    • ICPC Secures Conviction of Rector for Running Unaccredited Degree Programmes

      Engr Abba Babagana Dalori

      Engr Dalori Forfeits Galaxy Hospital, Petrol Station, Properties & Cash

      Chinese nationals jailed in Lagos

      Court Jails Nine Chinese Nationals for Cybercrime in Lagos

      ASUU

      Tackle Corruption, Institutional Decay – ASUU Charges FG

      EFCC Arraigns Bauchi Accountant General Over N8bn Fraud as Court Sentences…

  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
    • Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi (MFR), hosted the Executive Chairman of FIRS, Dr. Zacch Adedeji,

      Customs and the “National Single Window” Project

      FG Earmarks N13bn to Boost Power Infrastructure in Lagos, Ogun

      Centre for Crisis Communication, CCC,

      CCC Reviews Keyamo’s Crisis Management in Aviation Disputes

      NITDA Applauds Tech Giants for Advancing Online Safety in Nigeria

      Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi (MFR), hosted the Executive Chairman of FIRS, Dr. Zacch Adedeji,

      Customs, FIRS Accelerate Efforts for Single Window Rollout in Q1 of…

  • National
    • Nigerian Navy Graduates 2025 Set of Young Sailors in Akwa Ibom

      The Arrest of Ansaru Kingpins Mahmud Muhammad Usman aka Abu Bara’a, and Mahmud al-Nigeri aka Mallam Mamuda

      Counter-Terrorism: NSA Confirms Arrest of Ansaru Kingpins Behind Kuje Jailbreak and…

      The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla

      Nigeria Records Zero Piracy in Five Years – CNS Ogalla

      FG Okays N16.7bn for Reconstruction of Mokwa Bridge in Niger State

      Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida IBB

      IBB: The Golden Touch at 84 – By Zubair Abdurra’uf Idris

    • Government
      • FG Earmarks N13bn to Boost Power Infrastructure in Lagos, Ogun

        FG Okays N16.7bn for Reconstruction of Mokwa Bridge in Niger State

        Senator Shehu Umar Buba

        Bauchi Forum Back Senator Buba Amidst Smear Campaigns

        Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida IBB

        IBB: The Golden Touch at 84 – By Zubair Abdurra’uf Idris

        Front Row L-R: Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement South East, Chioma Nweze; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; Enugu State Governor, Mr. Peter Mbah; Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga: Second Row L-R: Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Mr. Chinasa Nnam Ogbodo; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Engagement, Fredrick Nwabufo; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Print Media, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Press Council, Dr Dili Ezughah and the Director General, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Dr. Mohammed Bulama during a courtesy call on the State Governor at the start of tour of projects and Citizens’ Engagement in Enugu on Thursday

        FG Delegation Inspects ₦445bn Trans-Saharan Superhighway Project in Ebonyi

  • Security
    • Nigerian Navy Graduates 2025 Set of Young Sailors in Akwa Ibom

      The Arrest of Ansaru Kingpins Mahmud Muhammad Usman aka Abu Bara’a, and Mahmud al-Nigeri aka Mallam Mamuda

      Counter-Terrorism: NSA Confirms Arrest of Ansaru Kingpins Behind Kuje Jailbreak and…

      The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla

      Nigeria Records Zero Piracy in Five Years – CNS Ogalla

      Police officer and other security agencies during the Anambra bye-election

      Anambra Bye-Election: AIG Eze Warns Against Fake News, Recycling Old Videos

      Military Troops in Action

      Troops Foil Kidnapping in Nasarawa as Gunmen Abduct Ex-Governor Almakura’s Aide

  • Features
    • Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida IBB

      IBB: The Golden Touch at 84 – By Zubair Abdurra’uf Idris

      Ribadu’s Quiet Revolution By Jude Obioha

      INEC

      Looming Peril Ahead of 2027: Why Nigeria Must Act Now, By…

      Police Officer

      Security Forces Eliminate 2 Bandits in Bauchi as Police Inspector, Civilian…

      President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and CG Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi

      That Presidential Endorsement of the Customs Boss

  • State
    • FG Earmarks N13bn to Boost Power Infrastructure in Lagos, Ogun

      FG Okays N16.7bn for Reconstruction of Mokwa Bridge in Niger State

      Military Troops in Action

      Troops Foil Kidnapping in Nasarawa as Gunmen Abduct Ex-Governor Almakura’s Aide

      CP Jimoh Moshood

      Lagos Police Arrest Suspected Child Traffickers, Rescue 11 Victims

      Senator Shehu Umar Buba

      Bauchi Forum Back Senator Buba Amidst Smear Campaigns

  • Event
    • Umar Lauya

      Umar Lauya Declares Candidacy for NYCN Presidency, Vows to Unite and…

      The Executive Secretary/CEO of the National Sugar Department Council (NSDC), Mr. Kamar Bakrin (L), with the CEO of Legacy Sugar Company, Alh. Abubakar Isa Musa (R), during the signing ceremony.

      NSDC, New Operators Seal Landmark Development Agreements, to Produce 400,000MT of…

      Regional Vice President Western and Central Africa at the World Bank, Mr Ousmane Diagana pays a courtesy visit to Baze University

      World Bank Vice President visits Baze University, Commends Educational Standards, Assures…

      NIPR President Ike Neliaku and a recently inducted PR professional from Kano

      PHOTOS: NIPR Inducts 80 New PR Professionals in Kano to its…

      Nigerian Teen Nafisa Aminu

      Pantami Urges Presidential Rewards for Nigerian Teen, Nafisa Aminu Who Topped…

    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper
Home Features Ending the Deadly Cycle of Fuel Tanker Explosions, By Mukhtar Ya’u...
  • Features
  • National

Ending the Deadly Cycle of Fuel Tanker Explosions, By Mukhtar Ya’u Madobi

By
Mukhtar Ya'u Madobi
-
January 29, 2025
Image from the video of residents scooping the oil
Image from the video of residents scooping the oil

Ending the Deadly Cycle of Fuel Tanker Explosions

By MUKHTAR Ya’u Madobi

The alarming frequency of fuel tanker explosions in Nigeria, particularly in the northern region, has become an all-too-familiar tragedy. These catastrophic incidents result in massive loss of lives and properties, leaving communities devastated and authorities overwhelmed.

Beyond mechanical failures or road accidents, a more dangerous and overlooked factor lies in the reckless, unsympathetic, and selfish behavior of residents who rush to scoop petrol from fallen tankers—often at the cost of their own lives.

The recent explosion at Dikko Junction, Niger State, which claimed over 80 lives and injured dozens, starkly illustrates that previous tragedies have failed to instill caution in many Nigerians. Despite repeated warnings and devastating consequences, people continue to endanger their lives by rushing to crash sites.

In October 2024, a tanker overturned in Majiya town, Jigawa State, spilling petrol. Instead of fleeing the impending danger, locals rushed to collect the fuel. The tanker exploded, killing over 140 people and leaving many others with life-altering injuries.

Similarly, on January 25, another tanker crash on the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway caused an explosion that killed 18 people and injured 10 others. When a fuel tanker crashes, the expected response is for emergency services to secure the area and prevent civilian interference.

However, in many Nigerian communities, residents prioritize scooping petrol over personal safety. Armed with containers and jerrycans, they scramble for “free fuel,” oblivious to the dangers of flammable petrol. A single spark—whether from friction, a mobile phone, or metal objects—can ignite a deadly inferno, resulting in charred bodies, destroyed properties, and unbearable grief for families.

Experts point to several contributing factors. Poorly maintained roads and overloaded vehicles increase the likelihood of accidents. Without stricter road safety enforcement, these crashes will persist. Extreme poverty drives people to risk their lives for the chance to resell scooped petrol.

Read Also:

  • Customs and the “National Single Window” Project
  • Nigerian Navy Graduates 2025 Set of Young Sailors in Akwa Ibom
  • Counter-Terrorism: NSA Confirms Arrest of Ansaru Kingpins Behind Kuje Jailbreak and High-Profile Abductions

The lure of quick profit often blinds them to the grave dangers involved. Many Nigerians remain unaware of the extreme risks posed by spilled petrol, as the absence of widespread public education on petroleum-related safety measures exacerbates the problem.

Additionally, a prevailing mindset of “what will be, will be” leads some individuals to disregard the dangers of fuel scooping, believing their fate is already sealed. Those who gamble with their lives by scooping fuel often pay the ultimate price. Many are burned alive in explosions, while others suffer disfiguring injuries and permanent disabilities.

Tragically, innocent bystanders, including children, frequently become victims when nearby properties are engulfed in flames. Entire communities are left devastated as businesses, homes, and vehicles are destroyed. Families lose breadwinners, plunging them into deeper poverty.

To prevent these tragedies, a multifaceted approach is urgently needed. The government, through agencies like the National Orientation Agency (NOA), must educate Nigerians on the dangers of scooping fuel. Safety messages should be broadcast in local languages via radio, television, and social media.

Security agencies must cordon off crash sites immediately, preventing civilian access. Those caught attempting to scoop fuel should face arrest and prosecution to deter others. Firefighters and first responders should be better equipped and trained to handle fuel-related accidents.

Widely publicized hotlines can enable quicker reporting and response. Regular vehicle inspections, adherence to weight limits, and improved road infrastructure can significantly reduce the likelihood of tanker accidents. Religious and traditional leaders must use their platforms to discourage reckless and greedy behavior, encouraging citizens to treat tanker crashes as emergencies rather than profit opportunities.

Fuel tanker explosions in Nigeria are not mere accidents; they are preventable disasters worsened by human recklessness. The gruesome deaths and destruction should serve as a wake-up call. It is time to abandon the dangerous culture of fuel scooping and embrace collective responsibility.

Until this shift occurs, the cycle of explosions and needless loss of lives will persist, leaving sorrow and devastation in its wake.

Mukhtar Ya’u Madobi is a Research Fellow at the Center for Crisis Communication (CCC). He writes from Kano via [email protected]

VISIT OUR OTHER WEBSITES
PRNigeria.com EconomicConfidential.com PRNigeria.com/Hausa/
EmergencyDigest.com PoliticsDigest.ng TechDigest.ng
HealthDigest.ng SpokesPersonsdigest.com TeensDigest.ng
ArewaAgenda.com Hausa.ArewaAgenda.com YAShuaib.com
  • TAGS
  • dikko
  • Enugu
  • Fire service
  • Fuel
  • Jigawa
  • Majia
  • Niger
  • NOA
  • Petrol
  • Scooping
  • Tanker Explosions
Previous articleCommendations Trail Intelligence-Led Interception of Notorious Gun Runner in Zamfara
Next articleFIRS Chairman: 24-Hour Port Operations Crucial for Nigeria’s $1 Trillion Economic Vision
Mukhtar Ya'u Madobi
Mukhtar Ya'u Madobi

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi (MFR), hosted the Executive Chairman of FIRS, Dr. Zacch Adedeji,

Customs and the “National Single Window” Project

Nigerian Navy Graduates 2025 Set of Young Sailors in Akwa Ibom

The Arrest of Ansaru Kingpins Mahmud Muhammad Usman aka Abu Bara’a, and Mahmud al-Nigeri aka Mallam Mamuda

Counter-Terrorism: NSA Confirms Arrest of Ansaru Kingpins Behind Kuje Jailbreak and High-Profile Abductions

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla

Nigeria Records Zero Piracy in Five Years – CNS Ogalla

FG Okays N16.7bn for Reconstruction of Mokwa Bridge in Niger State

IGP Kayode Egbetokun Police Boss

IGP Orders Institutional Review of Amnesty Report on South-East Killings

Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida IBB

IBB: The Golden Touch at 84 – By Zubair Abdurra’uf Idris

Acting Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede

Army establishes special forces school in Nasarawa

Front Row L-R: Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement South East, Chioma Nweze; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; Enugu State Governor, Mr. Peter Mbah; Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga: Second Row L-R: Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Mr. Chinasa Nnam Ogbodo; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Engagement, Fredrick Nwabufo; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Print Media, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Press Council, Dr Dili Ezughah and the Director General, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Dr. Mohammed Bulama during a courtesy call on the State Governor at the start of tour of projects and Citizens’ Engagement in Enugu on Thursday

FG Delegation Inspects ₦445bn Trans-Saharan Superhighway Project in Ebonyi

Centre for Crisis Communication, CCC,

CCC Reviews Keyamo’s Crisis Management in Aviation Disputes

Rotimi Pedro and Salihu Dembos

Uncertainty Grips NTA Over Unconfirmed Leadership Shake-Up

Police Rescue Victims of Human Trafficking in Enugu, Arrest Suspected Kidnappers in Taraba

Recent Posts

  • Customs and the “National Single Window” Project
  • Nigerian Navy Graduates 2025 Set of Young Sailors in Akwa Ibom
  • Counter-Terrorism: NSA Confirms Arrest of Ansaru Kingpins Behind Kuje Jailbreak and High-Profile Abductions
  • FG Earmarks N13bn to Boost Power Infrastructure in Lagos, Ogun
  • Nigeria Records Zero Piracy in Five Years – CNS Ogalla
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
© 2020 PRNigeria. All Rights Reserved.
Latest News
Customs and the "National Single Window" ProjectNigerian Navy Graduates 2025 Set of Young Sailors in Akwa IbomCounter-Terrorism: NSA Confirms Arrest of Ansaru Kingpins Behind Kuje Jailbreak and High-Profile AbductionsFG Earmarks N13bn to Boost Power Infrastructure in Lagos, OgunNigeria Records Zero Piracy in Five Years – CNS OgallaAnambra Bye-Election: AIG Eze Warns Against Fake News, Recycling Old VideosFG Okays N16.7bn for Reconstruction of Mokwa Bridge in Niger StateTroops Foil Kidnapping in Nasarawa as Gunmen Abduct Ex-Governor Almakura’s AideLagos Police Arrest Suspected Child Traffickers, Rescue 11 VictimsIGP Orders Institutional Review of Amnesty Report on South-East KillingsBauchi Forum Back Senator Buba Amidst Smear CampaignsIBB: The Golden Touch at 84 - By Zubair Abdurra'uf IdrisArmy establishes special forces school in NasarawaFG Delegation Inspects ₦445bn Trans-Saharan Superhighway Project in EbonyiCCC Reviews Keyamo’s Crisis Management in Aviation Disputes
X whatsapp