Spilt fuel: Saving the citizens from themselves

The below statistics have been on the increase without most Nigerians showing concern. Several victims have been confirmed dead as tragedy struck Saturday in Nigeria when a petrol tanker exploded, according to officials. Multiple sources say widespread panic affected six other vehicles when the fuel-laden tanker fell while navigating down a busy hilly motorway in Enugu State; witnesses say no fewer than 15 people, including three children, have been confirmed dead. The explosion occurred barely a week after 98 people died in a tanker explosion in Niger State (all these are just in 2025).

“Disturbed by the number of fatalities in repeated incidents, President Tinubu recently set up a high-powered committee mandated to halt a reoccurrence of the accidents and ordered security agencies and road safety authorities to work toward averting incessant explosions.”

An overturned fuel tanker exploded on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, night, killing at least 153 people who had rushed to the scene of the accident to collect leaking petrol, officials say. The fire engulfed the vehicle, which had been cordoned off by officers after it crashed in Jigawa State, a policeman said. Reports note that Nigeria has experienced 172 oil tanker accidents and 1,896 deaths since 2009. 2024 saw the highest death toll, with 266 fatalities.

Since President Bola Tinubu took office in May 2023, Nigeria has reported 28 oil tanker accidents, resulting in 468 deaths, accounting for more than 15 percent of all accidents and nearly 25 percent of the fatalities recorded since 2009.

Disturbed by the number of fatalities in repeated incidents, President Tinubu recently set up a high-powered committee mandated to halt a reoccurrence of the accidents and ordered security agencies and road safety authorities to work toward averting incessant explosions.

Read also: Tanker explosion in Enugu kills 18, Atiku and Mbah express grief

What must have been responsible for these ugly statistics—is it the price of petrol that has increased fivefold in about 20 months or poverty in the land?

Often, the trucks overturned, and as their load of fuel spewed onto the road, hordes of opportunistic Nigerians dashed to the scene with their buckets, basins, and bowls, hoping to make brisk and free money by reselling the scooped fuel. This is despite repeated such accidents around the country over the years and tragedies that follow such. Soon, a scrape from a metal bowl or bucket caused a spark, and then came flames and an explosion, consuming the motley crowd. As an African adage notes, it is only a mad person that sits to watch when his house is on fire. As Channels TV has shown us in an audiovisual clip about a fallen fuel tanker, the only option left for any sane person is to run as fast as your legs can carry you.

Read also: Ibadan tanker explosion claims driver’s life, injures one

Reacting to one of the tanker explosion accidents in a statement through the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Federal Government directed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to investigate the tanker explosion that claimed so many lives.

To every concerned Nigerian, the incidents are getting too many.

On October 1, last year, a fuel tanker lost control, fell, and split its contents on the road while the driver was manoeuvring the failed portions of the Oghara-Ologbo axis of the Sapele-Benin Motorway.

This led to an explosion that claimed the lives of five persons and razed eight buses, two tankers, five trailers, two cars, and one motorcycle.

According to a statement from the spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, DSP Bright Edafe, some youths in the area stormed the area to scoop petrol.

In the process, the tanker exploded and “claimed the lives of five persons among the youth who had come to scoop the spilt fuel” and destroyed many properties.

Also, on October 11, a 45,000-litre fuel tanker skidded off the bridge opposite the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, while the driver tried to apply brakes. The truck fell on a car with three occupants, who were rescued alive, while a pregnant woman and a motorcycle rider were injured during the process.

On October 13 the same year, a container struggling to climb the bridge leading to Orile fell off and collided with an oncoming fuel tanker and exploded.

Historically, railways were the primary means of transporting petrol before pipelines came into existence. From there, tankers were used to deliver the petrol to filling stations.

According to findings, the poor state of the roads, poorly maintained tankers, speeding, use of illicit drugs by some drivers, and indiscriminate overtaking are the predominant causes of these accidents.

We ought to go back to conveying fuel by train and pipelines. There is also a need to ensure that tankers that convey fuel are in serviceable condition and that each truck has at least two drivers so that there can be relief when one driver is exhausted. There should also be greater and consistent messaging about the hazards of scooping petrol from fallen tankers.

Finally, there should be sanctions for people who indulge in such acts. In this case, the government has the responsibility to save the citizens from themselves.