In a concerning development, residents of Niger State have been seen gathering to scoop oil from another fallen tanker, despite the tragic explosion just days ago that claimed over 90 lives.
Reports indicate that the latest incident occurred on Monday in Bida, Niger State, when a tanker transporting groundnut oil overturned near the AYM Shafa filling station.
A Repeat of a Deadly Pattern
This reckless behavior follows a devastating tanker explosion at Dikko Junction, Gurara Local Government Area, which killed at least 98 people and left many others with severe burns. The explosion, caused by fuel scooping, led to mass casualties, with 86 victims buried in a mass grave on Sunday.
Despite the recent tragedy, videos shared on social media show residents, including young individuals, congregating around the fallen truck. While some attempted to gather the spilled oil, others hurriedly fled, likely aware of the potential danger.
Eyewitness Accounts
A local resident, Yinusa Jiya, expressed shock at the residents’ disregard for safety:
“The people were not even afraid despite earlier assumptions that it was petrol.”
Fatimah Mohammed, another eyewitness, confirmed that the tanker was carrying groundnut oil and noted that residents stole large quantities of the oil as it dripped from the overturned vehicle.
“It fell around AYM Shafa filling station yesterday, and residents stole huge amounts of the groundnut oil,” she said.
Government Response
Following the tragic explosion, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to intensify its public awareness campaigns to discourage the dangerous practice of scooping fuel from fallen tankers.
The Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) also expressed concern over the rising casualties and the severity of burn injuries caused by such incidents.
Previous Incidents in Niger State
Niger State has a grim history of tanker-related disasters. On September 8, 2024, a midnight tanker explosion along the Agaie-Badeggi road claimed the lives of over 50 travelers.
The Rising Casualty Toll
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) confirmed the growing death toll from the recent explosion, noting that many injured victims have succumbed to their burns in hospitals. Authorities have attributed the high number of casualties to the unsafe practice of fuel scooping, which triggered the fire.
A Call for Behavioral Change
The repeated incidents highlight the urgent need for public education on the dangers of approaching and scooping fuel from fallen tankers. Despite the government’s efforts, residents continue to risk their lives, often with tragic consequences.
Observers are calling for stricter enforcement of safety measures and stronger public awareness campaigns to prevent future occurrences of such preventable tragedies.
