Nigeria: Tragedy in Niger: 30 dead, dozens injured after fuel tanker explosion

By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria

A tragic explosion has claimed the lives of at least 30 people in Niger State after a fuel tanker overturned and caught fire while residents were scooping petrol from it. Over 40 others were seriously injured in the incident, which occurred around 11 a.m. at Essan and Badeggi communities along the Bida–Agaie road in Katcha Local Government Area.

Witnesses said the victims were gathering spilled fuel from the fallen tanker when it suddenly exploded, trapping many at the scene. The injured were taken to the Federal Medical Centre in Bida for urgent treatment.

According to local reports, the tanker had been traveling from Lagos to northern Nigeria when it crashed. Residents said accidents involving fuel tankers were frequent in the area due to the poor condition of the road.

Community leaders expressed frustration that, despite repeated warnings, people still risk their lives to scoop fuel from accident scenes. “Within this month alone, more than 30 tankers have crashed on this same road,” one official said, calling for urgent repairs to prevent further loss of life.

Governor Mohammed Bago described the explosion as “a painful and tragic event,” offering condolences to the affected families and communities. He urged residents to avoid approaching fallen tankers, emphasizing that “no material gain is worth a human life.”

The governor also commended the Niger State Emergency Management Agency for its swift response to the disaster.