No fewer than 31 people were killed, and several others were injured while scooping fuel from a petrol tanker conveying PMS, which exploded along the Bida-Agaie highway in Niger State on Tuesday.
According to a statement signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, the tanker explosion occurred around 2:40 pm near Essa Village via Katcha.
“There was a lone tanker vehicle accident along the Bida/Agaie highway, and as a result, the tanker conveying PMS fell by the roadside,” he said.
Abiodun mentioned that residents rushed to the scene to scoop fuel from the overturned tanker, at which point it was suddenly engulfed in an inferno.
“Unfortunately, members of the public living around Essa village via Katcha rushed to the scene and were scooping PMS, and in the process, the tanker suddenly became engulfed in an inferno.
“Forty-eight persons were affected by the fire, and among these victims, thirty-one persons lost their lives, while others are still receiving treatment in various nearby hospitals.
“Three motorcycles were also burnt,” the spokesperson said.
Abiodun stated that officers and other security agencies were deployed to the scene for rescue operations.
He also stated that investigations are ongoing to identify the driver and owner of the tanker involved.
“Teams of policemen and other security agencies were moved to the scene for a rescue operation. Further investigation is ongoing to identify the driver and the owner of the said tanker,” Abiodun concluded.
Meanwhile, the Federal Road Safety Corps told the News Agency of Nigeria that 35 people are believed to have died in the explosion, and 46 others were injured to varied degrees.
Aishatu Sa’adu, the Niger FRSC Sector Commander, stated that the injured victims were taken to the Federal Medical Centre in Bida with the assistance of FRSC officers, villagers, and some good Samaritans.
She also cautioned the public to avoid scooping fuel from accident scenes, describing it as a deadly conduct that has claimed many lives in the past.
“It is God that gives wealth. People should avoid greed and be content with what God has given them,” she added.
