Just few days after a tragic tanker explosion killed over 90 people in Niger State, another incident has occurred in Bida town involving a fallen truck.
What Happened
On Monday, a tanker carrying groundnut oil broke down near the AYM Shafa filling station in Bida. Residents gathered around the truck to scoop the leaking oil, despite the recent deadly explosion at Dikko Junction in Gurara Local Government Area, which claimed 98 lives and left many injured.
Videos shared online showed people scrambling for the oil, while others fled, seemingly out of fear of a potential fire.
A local resident, Yinusa Jiya, said, “The people weren’t even scared, despite thinking it was petrol at first.” Another eyewitness, Fatimah Mohammed, confirmed the truck was carrying groundnut oil and said, “People stole large amounts of the oil.”
Tragic Reminder
This incident comes shortly after the Dikko Junction explosion, which occurred when people tried to scoop fuel from a leaking tanker. Authorities said the fire was ignited by those gathering the fuel. The death toll has risen as more victims succumbed to their injuries in hospital, with 86 bodies buried in a mass grave.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) reported that many survivors are still being treated for severe burns in various hospitals.
Government and Public Reactions
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to launch a public awareness campaign against scooping fuel from tankers. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) expressed concern over the rising casualties and the severity of the burns.
Recurring Tragedies
Niger State has witnessed several similar incidents in recent years. In September 2024, over 50 travellers died in a midnight tanker explosion along the Agaie-Badeggi road.
Call for Caution
Authorities continue to warn against scooping fuel or oil from fallen tankers, emphasising the dangers and the devastating loss of lives such actions can cause.