At least 60 people have been confirmed dead following a petrol tanker explosion in Dikko, Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State. The tragic incident occurred when a fuel-laden tanker exploded on Friday, killing dozens of individuals who had gathered to scoop petrol from the fallen vehicle.
The tanker, which belonged to HMY Oil and Gas and bore the registration number KBG-103-XAX, was transporting 60,000 litres of petrol from Lagos to Gwagwalada in the Federal Capital Territory when its body detached from the head, causing it to fall, according to Kumar Tsukwam, Niger State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
Speaking to reporters, Tsukwam said the victims were primarily scavengers attempting to siphon fuel despite warnings from authorities. The explosion, which reportedly spread to a nearby tanker, caused widespread devastation and resulted in a significant loss of life.
“The victims were mostly scavengers who gathered to scoop fuel despite attempts to stop them,” Tsukwam stated. He noted that emergency responders were swiftly deployed to the scene.
Abdullah Arah, Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), offered additional details, attributing the explosion to the use of a generator during the transfer of fuel from the fallen tanker to another. “The generator sparked the fire, leading to the explosion,” Arah explained.
The fire from the explosion spread quickly, engulfing the immediate area and leaving behind charred remains of victims and destroyed vehicles. Emergency response teams, including the FRSC, fire service, and local authorities, worked tirelessly to contain the blaze and recover bodies from the scene.
The tragedy has reignited concerns about the recurring dangers of fuel-related accidents in Nigeria, where incidents involving illegal scooping of petroleum products are all too common. In recent years, similar accidents have claimed hundreds of lives across the country.
Authorities have reiterated the need for stricter enforcement of safety measures and public awareness campaigns to prevent such tragedies. However, with poverty driving many to take desperate risks, incidents like the Dikko explosion continue to underline the human cost of unsafe practices around fuel transportation and storage.
Investigations into the cause of the accident are ongoing, as officials seek to determine if negligence or regulatory lapses played a role in the catastrophe. Meanwhile, the victims’ families and communities mourn the loss of lives in yet another avoidable disaster.
