A devastating fuel tanker explosion in central Nigeria has claimed at least 70 lives, marking another heartbreaking chapter in the nation’s ongoing struggles with fuel-related disasters. The incident occurred on Saturday morning at the Dikko Junction, a major intersection connecting Abuja to Kaduna.
According to Kumar Tsukwam, head of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Niger State, the tragedy unfolded when a truck carrying 60,000 liters of gasoline flipped over at around 10 a.m. A crowd quickly gathered to scoop fuel leaking from the tanker. Moments later, the tanker burst into flames, consuming not only the gathered individuals but also another tanker parked nearby.
“Most of the victims were burnt beyond recognition,” Tsukwam said, adding that officials were still working to clear the scene. An FRSC statement confirmed that 60 bodies had been recovered so far, most of them belonging to scavengers trying to collect fuel.
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This tragic incident is a reminder of the dire economic realities facing many Nigerians. Since President Bola Tinubu ended the country’s fuel subsidy in 2023, the price of gasoline has skyrocketed fivefold in just 18 months. The resulting economic strain has forced many into risky behaviors, such as scavenging fuel from accidents. These desperate acts often end in disaster, as seen in this most recent explosion and another in October 2024, which claimed over 170 lives in Jigawa State.
Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, calling it “worrisome, heartbreaking, and unfortunate.” He confirmed that several survivors sustained severe burns and are receiving medical attention.
Fuel tanker accidents remain alarmingly frequent in Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa. In 2020 alone, the FRSC reported 1,531 tanker-related accidents, resulting in more than 535 deaths. Despite these statistics, the economic pressures continue to push citizens toward life-threatening risks.
