At least 35 people have d!ed and 46 others injured after a fuel tanker exploded in Niger State.
The blast occurred in Essa village when residents tried to scoop petrol from an overturned tanker.
Tragedy struck in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, when a fuel tanker exploded, k!lling at least 35 people and injuring 46 others.
The incident occurred along the Agaie–Bida Road in Essa village after a petrol-laden tanker overturned around 11 a.m. due to the poor condition of the road. Witnesses said residents rushed to the scene to scoop fuel from the fallen tanker, ignoring warnings about the danger. The tanker eventually exploded around 2 p.m., setting off a massive fire that claimed dozens of lives.
Hajiya Aishatu Sa’adu, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Niger State, confirmed the incident, describing it as one of the worst explosions recorded in the area in recent years. She said 35 people were confirmed dead, while 46 others sustained varying degrees of burns and injuries.
According to Sa’adu, the injured were evacuated to the Federal Medical Centre in Bida with the help of FRSC personnel, local residents, and other volunteers. She noted that the blast caused severe traffic congestion on the Agaie–Bida highway, made worse by the poor condition of the road.
Sa’adu cautioned residents against the dangerous practice of scooping fuel from accident scenes, warning that such greed-driven actions often lead to loss of lives. “It is God that gives wealth. People should learn to be content and stay away from such risky acts,” she said.
The Chairman of the Niger State chapter of the Tanker Drivers Association, Farouk Mohammed Kawo, also confirmed the explosion, explaining that the tanker was on its way from Lagos to the northern region when it crashed and caught fire.
Kawo lamented that over 30 accidents involving tankers and trailers had occurred on the same stretch of road in the past month, largely due to its deplorable state. He appealed to Governor Mohammed Umar Bago to urgently intervene by rehabilitating the road to prevent further tragedies and safeguard lives and property.
