Niger residents scoop fuel from another fallen tanker, despite Dikko junction explosion tragedy

Just two days after a tragic tanker explosion in Niger State claimed the lives of over 90 people and left many others injured, another concerning incident has been reported in Bida town, within the state.

A fallen truck, believed to be carrying fuel, broke down in the community on Monday, drawing a crowd of residents despite the recent disaster.

In a widely shared video circulating online, young people were seen gathering around the truck, some attempting to scoop its contents while others fled the scene, seemingly aware of the potential danger.

READ ALSO: Dikko tanker explosion: Death toll rises to 98

This behavior has raised concerns about the recurring risks of fuel-related accidents in communities across Nigeria. Experts and authorities have long cautioned against such actions, which can lead to devastating explosions.

In the aftermath of the initial explosion, safety advocates urged residents to prioritize their lives over fuel collection.

Premium Times quoted a resident, Yinusa Jiya, as saying, “The people were not even afraid despite earlier assumption that it was petrol.”

Another eyewitness, Fatimah Mohammed, told the newspaper that the tanker was carrying groundnut oil.

“It fell around AYM Shafa filling station yesterday (Monday) and residents stole huge amounts of the groundnut oil dripping from the tanker”, she added.

The development came two days after the deadly tanker explosion that killed about 98 people around Dikko Junction, Gurara LGA, Niger State.

Daily Trust reports that the death toll from the deadly explosion has been on the rise as some persons who sustained injuries died in the hospitals where they were being treated.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu while reacting to the situation, mandated the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to step up a campaign against scooping during such a situation.

The Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) said it was worried by the casualty figures and magnitude of burns.

The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) said 86 bodies were mass-buried on Sunday.

Several other injured victims are still receiving treatment for first degree burns in various hospitals.

Authorities have blamed citizens for the devastating loss of lives and injuries in the explosion, saying the fire was ignited by those trying to scoop fuel.

Niger State has suffered several incidents in the past which resulted in several loss of lives.

More than 50 travellers died in a midnight tanker explosion along the Agaie-Badeggi road on September 8, 2024.