35 Killed, 46 Injured as Fuel Tanker Explodes in Niger State

ByEditor

Oct 22, 2025 #Bida–Agaie road accident, #fuel scooping explosion Nigeria, #Katcha LGA fire, #Mohammed Bago Niger roads, #Niger State FRSC, #Niger Tanker Explosion, #NUPENG tanker accident

Malik Yahya/

At least 35 people have been confirmed dead and 46 others injured in a petrol tanker explosion that occurred on the Bida–Agaie expressway, at Essa village in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State.

The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Niger State, Aishatu Sa’adu, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Tuesday.

She said the tragedy happened after some residents attempted to scoop fuel from a fallen tanker, which later exploded.

Sa’adu explained that the victims who sustained injuries were evacuated to the Federal Medical Centre, Bida, with the assistance of FRSC personnel, villagers, and other good Samaritans.

According to her, preliminary investigations indicated that the crash was a lone accident caused by loss of control by the tanker driver.

She cautioned motorists to drive with utmost care and obey traffic regulations to prevent needless loss of lives.

Sa’adu also warned members of the public against scooping fuel from accident scenes, describing it as a reckless act 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.

An eyewitness told NAN that the accident occurred around 11am on Tuesday at the Essan and Badeggi communities on the Bida–Agaie road.

“The victims were scooping fuel from the fallen tanker when it suddenly exploded, burning many beyond recognition, while others sustained severe burns,” the witness said.

Also confirming the incident, Farouk Kawo, Chairman of the Niger State chapter of the Tanker Drivers Association and National Ex-Officio of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), said the tanker was transporting petroleum products from Lagos to the northern part of the country.

Kawo lamented that more than 30 tanker accidents had been recorded on the same route in October alone, attributing the frequent crashes to the deplorable condition of the road.

“The community youths have continued to scoop products from accidented vehicles. Just last Sunday, a tanker conveying groundnut oil also crashed and its contents were scooped,” he said.

He appealed to the Niger State Government, under Governor Mohammed Bago, to urgently intervene by grading the bad portions of the road to ease movement and reduce the spate of accidents.

“If the bad spots are repaired, it will go a long way in preventing further loss of lives and property,” Kawo added.