NEMA confirms 45 dead and 63 injured in Niger State tanker explosion, warns against fuel scooping as rescue and relief efforts continue.

NigerTankerExplosion has claimed more lives as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed that the death toll from the petrol tanker explosion in Essa community, along the Bida–Badeggi–Agaie road in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State, has risen to 45.

The agency also reported that 63 others sustained varying degrees of burns from the inferno, which occurred earlier in the week.

This was disclosed in a situation update issued on Friday by the Head of NEMA Operations, Minna Office, Hussaini Isah, who oversees both Niger and Kwara States.

Cause of the Explosion

According to Isah, preliminary investigations revealed that the explosion occurred after a petrol tanker lost control due to a bad section of the road, resulting in a fatal crash and subsequent fire outbreak.

He identified Essa as the worst-hit community, noting that most of the casualties were residents who rushed to scoop petrol from the fallen tanker before it exploded.

NEMA Decries Fuel Scooping

Isah expressed concern that fuel scooping continues to claim innocent lives despite repeated public warnings.

He reiterated that such incidents are preventable if residents adhere to safety advisories and avoid approaching accident scenes involving fuel spills.

Emergency Response and Medical Efforts

Many of the injured victims were initially treated at the Essa Primary Health Centre and Idris Private Hospital, before being transferred to Umaru Sanda General Hospital, Bida, and the Federal Medical Centre, Bida, for intensive care.

Isah confirmed that 14 critically injured victims had been referred to the Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital, Abuja, for advanced medical treatment.

He added that the Niger State Government had supplied medications to the affected hospitals to support emergency response efforts.

Multi-Agency Rescue Operation

Several emergency response agencies were mobilised to the scene, including the Police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), NSEMA, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), vigilante groups, and community volunteers.

Their joint efforts helped to evacuate victims, restore order, and prevent further escalation of the fire incident.

However, Isah lamented that traffic congestion, poor road conditions, and weak network signals hampered timely rescue operations.

Relief Plans and Safety Appeal

NEMA and the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) have visited all affected hospitals to verify patient lists and assess their conditions.

Isah disclosed that plans were underway to provide relief materials and food items to the families of victims, many of whom lost relatives or sustained severe injuries.

He again urged Nigerians to avoid scooping fuel from accident scenes to prevent further tragedies.

Background

The tanker explosion occurred earlier this week when a petrol-laden tanker crashed on a damaged stretch of the Bida–Badeggi–Agaie highway, spilling fuel across the road. Moments later, the spilled petrol ignited, killing dozens and burning several vehicles and motorcycles.

The tragedy adds to a series of fuel-related explosions across Nigeria, often linked to poor road infrastructure, reckless driving, and fuel scooping by local residents.