Gasoline tanker explosion kills 31

At least 31 people were killed after a tanker truck carrying gasoline exploded in the Bida area of Niger State, north-central Nigeria, police said. Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun said the explosion occurred on Tuesday after the tanker overturned. As fuel spilled onto the road, residents rushed to collect it before the truck suddenly burst into flames. Seventeen people were injured and taken to nearby hospitals, he added. In recent months, Niger State has recorded a rise in road accidents involving heavy-duty trucks. Analysts blame the trend on poor road conditions and the lack of an effic

At least 31 people were killed after a tanker truck carrying gasoline exploded in the Bida area of Niger State, north-central Nigeria, police said. Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun said the explosion occurred on Tuesday after the tanker overturned. As fuel spilled onto the road, residents rushed to collect it before the truck suddenly burst into flames. Seventeen people were injured and taken to nearby hospitals, he added. In recent months, Niger State has recorded a rise in road accidents involving heavy-duty trucks. Analysts blame the trend on poor road conditions and the lack of an efficient rail network. The state is a key transit corridor for goods moving between northern and southern Nigeria. An investigation is underway to identify the driver, the truck’s owner, and the cause of the crash, according to police. Governor Umaru Bago described the tragedy as heartbreaking, urging residents to stay away from accident scenes involving fuel tankers. “It is disheartening that people still try to collect fuel from overturned tankers despite the dangers,” Bago said. “This is yet another painful and tragic incident for the people and the state government.” In January, a similar accident in Niger State claimed at least 98 lives after residents attempted to transfer fuel from a crashed tanker using a generator. Fuel scavenging has become increasingly common across Nigeria following the removal of fuel subsidies under President Bola Tinubu, which has led to a sharp rise in pump prices.