By Yunusa Umar
At least 40 people have been killed and many others injured after a tanker loaded with petrol exploded along the Essa axis of the Agaie–Bida highway in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State, central Nigeria.
According to witnesses, the explosion occurred after the vehicle overturned, spilling fuel onto the road. Residents from nearby villages rushed to the scene with jerrycans to collect the leaking petrol despite repeated warnings about the dangers. Moments later, at around 2 p.m., the tanker exploded — sending a fireball through the crowd.
“People came out en masse to scoop fuel, and then the tanker exploded,” an eyewitness told New Daily Prime, describing scenes of panic as flames engulfed those gathered near the tanker.
The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Niger State, Hajiya Aishatu Sa’adu, confirmed the incident but said the final casualty figure had yet to be determined. “It is a tragic occurrence, and our rescue teams are on the ground,” she said. “The explosion has caused a severe traffic gridlock, worsened by the poor condition of the road.”
She added that the deplorable state of the highway also delayed the arrival of emergency responders and rescue vehicles.
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The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba Arah, later provided an update, confirming that 24 bodies had been recovered while 40 people sustained serious burns. “Our teams are still conducting recovery operations. The injured have been taken to the Federal Medical Centre in Bida for treatment,” he said.
Witnesses reported that several victims were burnt beyond recognition, and nearby vehicles and roadside shops were destroyed by the blaze.
Fuel tanker explosions are tragically common in Nigeria, where poor infrastructure, overcrowded highways, and unsafe fuel handling continue to claim lives. Despite frequent public safety campaigns, poverty and fuel scarcity drive many residents to risk their lives collecting spilled petrol after accidents.
Authorities have since cordoned off the area, warning motorists to avoid the route as emergency teams work to clear the wreckage and recover remaining victims.
