A fuel tanker overturned in Lapai but swift emergency response prevented a deadly explosion.
Officials say teamwork and caution from residents helped avoid another tragic fire disaster.
A major tragedy was avoided on Sunday morning in Takalafiya community along the Lapai Lambata road in Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State when a fuel tanker on its way to Kano from Lagos reportedly overturned. The incident happened at about 8:00 a.m. and caused panic among residents who feared a possible explosion.
Local authorities and emergency responders were alerted immediately after the tanker fell. Witnesses said the prompt arrival of responders played a crucial role in preventing what could have turned into another deadly fire incident. Personnel from the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, the Fire Service, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Lapai chapter of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, and volunteers from the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University community rushed to the scene.
They worked together to control the leakage of petrol and to secure the area. Some of the spilled fuel was transferred into containers to reduce the risk of fire and to limit environmental damage. Residents watched as the rescue teams tried to ensure that no one got close enough to ignite a flame.
The Director of Information and Linkages of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Ibrahim Hussaini, confirmed the incident. He said their strong response and coordination helped prevent injuries or loss of lives. Hussaini explained that the joint effort of the emergency teams allowed the situation to be contained early.
He also expressed relief that residents did not rush to scoop fuel from the scene, noting that such actions have caused deadly explosions in the past. His caution comes less than a week after a petrol tanker accident in Essa community in Katcha Local Government Area led to a huge fire. In that incident, which happened on Tuesday, 21 October 2025, residents tried to collect spilled petrol and a fatal explosion followed, killing more than 57 people and leaving over 50 others in hospitals.
Sunday’s swift intervention is now seen as a lifesaving lesson for communities to avoid risky actions during tanker accidents and to always allow trained responders to take control.
