Fuel Scooping Turns Deadly: 35 Killed, 46 Injured In Bida-Lapai Tanker Explosion
What began as a scramble for free petrol turned into a horrific tragedy on Tuesday, as 35 people lost their lives and 46 others sustained injuries in a tanker explosion along the Bida-Lapai road in Niger State.
According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the inferno erupted after a tanker laden with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) overturned near Badegi, spilling fuel that residents rushed to scoop.
Moments later, the highly flammable substance ignited, engulfing scores of people in flames and destroying nearby properties.
The FRSC rescue team, led by the Unit Head of Operations, arrived swiftly alongside the Niger State Fire Service to battle the blaze and evacuate survivors for emergency treatment.
Describing the incident as a “needless national tragedy,” FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, lamented that the deadly practice of fuel scooping continues to claim innocent lives despite repeated warnings.
“This is not just a crash; it is a painful reminder that every time people ignore safety advice and rush to scoop petrol, they gamble with their lives. No litre of fuel is worth a human life,” he stated.
The Corps Marshal has directed all FRSC commands nationwide to intensify grassroots sensitisation campaigns in rural communities and high-risk areas.
He also urged traditional and religious leaders to help discourage residents from approaching crash sites involving fuel tankers.
The FRSC reiterated its call for the public to report such accidents via its toll-free number, 122, and allow emergency responders to handle the situation safely.
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