The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says no fewer than 39 people were killed and more than 60 others sustained severe burns following a petrol tanker explosion at Essan community in Katcha LGA of Niger state.
The tragic incident occurred around 3:45 pm on Tuesday along the Bida–Badegi–Agaie road after a petrol-laden tanker fell and spilled its contents.
Many of the victims were reportedly among those attempting to scoop fuel when the vehicle exploded.
In a statement on Wednesday, the agency said it had activated an emergency response and deployed a rescue team to support the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) and other first responders at the scene.
According to NEMA’s director general, Zubaida Umar, the head of NEMA’s Minna operations office, Hussaini Isah, led the team that joined the police, NSCDC, FRSC, DSS, local vigilantes, and community volunteers in the rescue operations.
“The injured victims were evacuated to nearby health facilities including Essan Primary Health Centre, Idris Private Hospital, and the Federal Medical Centre, Bida, for emergency treatment,” Umar said, adding that a detailed assessment of the damages was underway.
While commiserating with the families of the deceased and those injured, the NEMA boss cautioned Nigerians against scooping fuel from accident scenes.
“She warned that such risky behaviour has repeatedly resulted in avoidable loss of lives and property. Members of the public are strongly advised to keep off accident sites and promptly alert emergency agencies for professional intervention,” the statement added.
The explosion is one of the deadliest in recent years linked to fuel scooping in Nigeria, underscoring recurring safety lapses and public disregard for emergency warnings.
