At least 30 people have been confirmed dead and 40 others injured following a tanker explosion along the Bida–Agaie Road in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State.
The incident occurred on Tuesday morning when a fuel tanker overturned near the Essa and Badeggi communities. Some residents reportedly attempted to scoop fuel from the spilled petroleum when the tanker suddenly exploded, resulting in the casualties.
Comrade Farouk Mohammed Kawo, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) National Ex-Officio for Niger State, confirmed the accident and noted that the road has witnessed over 30 tanker crashes this month alone.
Emergency responders and local vigilantes quickly moved to evacuate the injured and clear the crash site. The wounded have been taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Niger State Governor Umaru Bago described the incident as “worrisome, unfortunate and preventable,” and called for urgent rehabilitation of the road to prevent future disasters.
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Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the explosion. Authorities have also warned residents against scooping fuel from accident scenes due to the high risk of fire and explosion.
