By : Lloyd Mahachi
Tragedy struck in northern Nigeria yesterday when an overturned gasoline tanker truck exploded, killing over 140 people and injuring dozens more. The accident occurred in Majiya town, Jigawa state, after the tanker driver lost control of the vehicle while traveling on a highway. Residents rushed to the scene to scoop up fuel pouring from the tanker, sparking a massive inferno that spread quickly.
Eyewitnesses described the chaotic scene, with people running in all directions, screaming for help. “The fire spread so quickly that many couldn’t escape,” said resident Sani Umar. Emergency services arrived several hours after the accident, and most of the bodies were unrecognizable.
This devastating incident is the latest in a series of fuel tanker explosions in Nigeria, where roads are often poorly maintained and residents frequently siphon off fuel following accidents. The country is facing its worst economic crisis in a generation, and the price of petrol has soared fivefold since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu scrapped subsidies last year.
The frequency of fuel tanker accidents in Nigeria has resulted in alarming fatality numbers. Over 5,000 people died in road accidents in Nigeria in 2023, according to official records. However, the World Health Organization estimates that the actual number of annual road accident deaths in Nigeria could be closer to 40,000. Just last month, at least 59 people died in a similar fuel tanker accident in northwestern Niger state.
In response to the tragedy, Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for a safety review, and the federal government is sending resources to support those affected. The Nigerian Medical Association has also urged doctors to rush to nearby emergency rooms to help with the influx of patients.
The incident highlights the need for improved road safety measures and emergency response protocols in Nigeria. The government must address the root causes of these accidents, including poor road maintenance and the economic factors driving residents to siphon fuel from tankers. Only then can the country prevent such devastating tragedies from occurring in the future.
Editor : Josephine Mahachi
