Youths Scoop Fuel from Another Faulty Tanker in Taraba State
By Our Correspondent
Just days after nearly 100 people lost their lives in a tanker accident in Niger State, some youths gathered at the scene of a tanker accident in Jalingo, the capital of Taraba State, on Wednesday.
Witnesses reported that these youths were attempting to scoop fuel from the damaged tanker when security operatives arrived. Members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the police intervened, forcing the youths to leave the site at Mile 6 in Jalingo, where the petrol tanker had overturned and spilled its contents.
As chaos ensued, local traders quickly closed their shops and fled the area.
Mr. Illia Samuel, spokesperson for the NSCDC’s Taraba State Command, confirmed the incident, noting that the driver of the tanker sustained injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment. He stated that the Command immediately dispatched personnel to the scene to prevent any explosions and further casualties.
“Upon receiving information about the accident, we sent our team to ensure the area is secure for both residents and travelers,” he said.
The Police Public Relations Officer for Taraba State, SP Abdullahi Usman, also confirmed the events.
This incident occurred just three days after a devastating tanker explosion in Niger State that claimed the lives of approximately 98 individuals near Dikko Junction in Gurara LGA. The death toll from that explosion is still rising.
In response to these tragedies, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has instructed the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to intensify campaigns against fuel scooping in such situations.
The Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) expressed concern over the high casualty figures and the severity of burns resulting from the accident.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) reported that 86 bodies were mass-buried on Sunday. Several other victims suffering from first-degree burns are currently receiving treatment in various hospitals.
Authorities have placed part of the blame for this tragic loss of life on citizens, stating that the fire was ignited by individuals attempting to scoop fuel.
Niger State has experienced multiple incidents in the past that have resulted in significant fatalities, including a midnight tanker explosion along the Agaie-Badeggi road on September 8, 2024, which led to the deaths of more than 50 travelers.
