The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed that 39 people died and 60 others sustained injuries following a petrol tanker explosion in Essa community, along the Agaie–Bida road in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State.
The tragic event occurred on Tuesday afternoon when the tanker overturned and burst into flames as residents gathered to collect spilled fuel.
NEMA’s Director General, Zubaida Umar, said she immediately instructed the Minna Operations Office to activate rescue teams and coordinate with the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) to respond to the disaster.
The explosion reportedly happened around 3:45 p.m. and involved men, women, and children who were caught in the blast while attempting to scoop fuel from the overturned vehicle.
The agency urged citizens to avoid approaching fallen tankers and warned that such actions often lead to catastrophic outcomes.
Umar also extended condolences to the families of the deceased and called for greater public education on post-accident safety.
Governor Umaru Bago described the tragedy as “disheartening,” lamenting that despite repeated awareness campaigns, people still risk their lives by rushing scenes of fuel spills.
He appealed for restraint and emphasized that emergency responders should be allowed to manage such scenes professionally.
In response to the disaster, the Niger State government and federal agencies are coordinating relief efforts and medical interventions for the injured. Meanwhile, checkpoints and traffic controls have been established along the affected route to manage vehicular flow and ensure safety.
This latest explosion adds to Nigeria’s painful record of similar incidents, often occurring when bystanders attempt to collect fuel from compromised tankers, an act repeatedly warned against by authorities.
