A devastating petrol tanker explosion in Dikko, Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State, has left at least 70 people dead and dozens injured. The incident occurred on Saturday when a fuel-laden tanker, carrying 60,000 liters of petrol, overturned and exploded, engulfing bystanders who had gathered to scoop the spilled fuel.

Kumar Tsukwam, the Niger State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), confirmed that the tanker, owned by HMY Oil and Gas, detached from its head while en route from Lagos to Gwagwalada in the Federal Capital Territory. Despite warnings from authorities, impoverished residents ignored the risks and attempted to collect the leaking fuel, leading to widespread casualties.

According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), 70 bodies have been recovered, 56 individuals sustained injuries, and more than 15 shops were destroyed in the inferno. The injured have been rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment, while mass burials for the victims are underway in accordance with Islamic rites.

Eyewitnesses reported that the fire from the explosion spread to another tanker, compounding the damage. Firefighters eventually extinguished the blaze, but the aftermath underscores the dangers of fuel-related accidents in Nigeria, where such tragedies have become increasingly common.

The disaster highlights the dire economic conditions facing many Nigerians. With petrol prices soaring by over 400% since the removal of fuel subsidies in May 2023, incidents of fuel scooping have risen, driven by desperation amid the country’s worst cost-of-living crisis in decades.

Bologi Ibrahim, spokesperson for the Niger State Governor, urged residents to prioritize safety in the aftermath of such accidents, emphasizing the tragic consequences of fuel scooping. This latest incident follows similar fuel tanker explosions in recent years, including a catastrophic blast in Jigawa State last October that claimed 147 lives.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the explosion and exploring measures to prevent future occurrences. However, this tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for improved safety measures and economic relief for vulnerable communities in Africa’s largest oil-producing nation.