Nigeria: Fuel tanker explosion claims at least 70 lives

At least 70 people have died in north-central Nigeria after a gasoline tanker overturned in the early hours of Saturday and exploded as locals attempted to salvage its fuel. According to eyewitnesses, community members rushed to the scene once the tanker crashed, hoping to collect leaking gasoline for personal use. A generator was then started to transfer the spilled fuel into another truck, triggering a powerful blast that left many victims burned beyond recognition.

The Federal Road Safety Corps confirms that accidents of this nature are all too common in Nigeria, in part because the country lacks a robust railway network for freight. As a result, long-haul trucks carrying large volumes of fuel frequently traverse hazardous roads. The problem has intensified since President Bola Tinubu removed a longstanding fuel subsidy in 2023, causing prices to skyrocket by over 400 percent and prompting some individuals to take desperate risks to obtain cheaper fuel.

Saturday’s tragedy follows a similar incident in October of last year, when more than 170 people lost their lives in Jigawa State while attempting to siphon gasoline from an overturned tanker. Authorities have repeatedly warned against such practices, but ongoing economic pressures and an elevated cost of living continue to drive people toward perilous activities. Emergency responders have urged the public to avoid these sites and immediately notify professional rescue teams in the event of future tanker accidents, stressing the critical need to prevent further loss of life.