The Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lanre Issa-Onilu, has condemned in the strongest possible terms the dangerous, irresponsible, and condemnable act of scooping fuel from a fallen tanker, as witnessed on Monday, January 19, on the Liverpool Bridge, Apapa area of Lagos State.
NOA director general, in a statement by the Director, Communication and Media of the agency, Bala Musa, said the practice is completely unacceptable in a modern society and poses an extreme and avoidable threat to human life, public safety, and national infrastructure.
”The risks involved are not limited to those directly engaged in the act; the collateral danger to motorists, nearby communities, emergency responders, and critical assets is enormous and far outweighs any perceived or imagined benefit,” he stated.
Issa-Onilu noted that the NOA had, over the years, consistently deployed nationwide sensitisation and public enlightenment campaigns to conscientise Nigerians on the dangers inherent in fuel scooping and similar high-risk behaviours.
”Regrettably, despite sustained advocacy, repeated warnings, and value-reorientation efforts, some individuals have remained adamant and have continued to engage in this undesirable and life-threatening conduct,” he added.
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The director general stated unequivocally that the behaviour could not be justified under any circumstances.
“This is not poverty. Poverty does not take away the sense in people’s heads, nor does it eliminate judgement or the instinct for self-preservation.
“What we are witnessing is a conscious, reckless, and criminal disregard for human life and public safety,” he said.
He recalled that Nigeria had, in the past, recorded several tragic incidents across different parts of the country where fuel tanker accidents led to explosions and infernos after people attempted to scoop fuel, resulting in the loss of hundreds of lives.
These recurring tragedies, according to Issa-Onilu, are painful reminders that the menace is recurrent, preventable, and must no longer be tolerated.
The director general called on the National Assembly to urgently initiate and enact comprehensive legislation that will expressly criminalise the act of fuel scooping from fallen tankers and prescribe firm, clear, and deterrent penalties for perpetrators.
He posited that sustained public enlightenment must now be complemented by strong legal and enforcement frameworks to decisively end the deadly behaviour.
Issa-Onilu emphasised that the trend must not be allowed to continue, adding that Nigerians must collectively reject actions that repeatedly lead to mass casualties, national trauma, and avoidable loss of lives.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to intensifying its value-reorientation and safety advocacy across the country.
“Human life is sacred and priceless. No situation, no excuse, and no momentary gain should justify conduct that places lives in imminent danger,” Issa-Onilu stated.
