NEMA confirms 39 dead and 60 injured in Niger tanker explosion as Sanwo-Olu mourns victims and urges Nigerians to avoid scooping fuel

The Niger tanker explosion that rocked the Essan community in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State has claimed 39 lives, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed on Wednesday.

Also read: Niger State Tanker Explosion Kills 31, Injures 17

In a statement shared on X, NEMA said at least 60 others sustained severe burns and were receiving treatment at various hospitals, including Essan Primary Health Centre, Idris Private Hospital, and the Federal Medical Centre, Bida.

According to the agency, the tragedy occurred around 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday along the Bida–Badegi–Agaie road when a petrol-laden tanker was involved in a lone accident and overturned, spilling its content.

Residents reportedly rushed to the scene to scoop fuel before the tanker suddenly exploded, engulfing dozens of people in flames.

“The explosion claimed 39 lives and left over 60 persons with severe burns, including men, women, and children.

The victims were among those attempting to scoop fuel from a fallen tanker when the explosion occurred,” NEMA stated.

The agency added that its rescue team, working with the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), the police, NSCDC, FRSC, DSS, local vigilantes, and volunteers, promptly evacuated the victims and began a detailed assessment of the damages.

NEMA’s Director General, Mrs Zubaida Umar, expressed deep sympathy to the victims’ families and warned Nigerians to desist from scooping fuel from fallen tankers — a recurring cause of mass casualties across the country.

“Such acts have repeatedly led to avoidable loss of lives. We urge residents to stay clear of accident scenes and report such incidents to emergency agencies,” Umar said.

Meanwhile, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has condoled with Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago and the families of the victims.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, Sanwo-Olu described the incident as “worrisome and pathetic.”

He said, “Our thoughts and prayers are with my brother, Governor Mohammed Bago, the government and people of Niger State, as well as the families of the deceased and injured.”

Also read: Bago mourns 35 killed in Niger State tanker explosion

The explosion is the latest in a string of deadly tanker accidents in Nigeria. Earlier in January, over 70 people were reported dead in a similar incident in Niger State, while investigations have revealed that more than 400 Nigerians have lost their lives in tanker-related explosions nationwide within the past year.