In a recent incident in Niger State, a tanker carrying 40,000 liters of fuel caught fire after an accident along the Agaie-Lapai road, just a few kilometers from Bida town.
The incident, which occurred at night, could have led to a major disaster, but prompt action ensured the safety of nearby residents.
While no life was lost, the driver and his conductor sustained injuries and were rushed to Lapai General Hospital for treatment.
An eyewitness told our Correspondent that the tanker’s front tyre burst while in motion, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle, which caused it to overturn and burst into flames.
When contacted, the Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency NSEMA Alhaji Abdullahi Baba Arah, confirmed the incident.
The agency’s Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Ibrahim Hussaini, who spoke on behalf of the Agency, said the accident happened in the bush.
“The accident happened between Lapai and Agaie towns. Our men are on their way to the scene, and I will get back to you later.
Similarly, the state Police command also confirmed the incident in a statement.
The command’s spokesman, Superintendent of Police Wasiu Abiodun, said the accident occurred late Monday evening.
“On 27/1/2025 at about 6.30 pm, a lone fuel tanker accident occurred with a fire explosion along Agaie/Lapai road.
“The fuel tanker with Reg. No. DKA 03 A was driven by one Shamsudeen Dayabu of Matazun LGA of Katsina State on transit from Lagos to Kaduna and was loaded with about forty thousand liters of PMS.
“On reaching Kusogbogi area of Agaie, the tanker lost control due to a burst front tyre, and fell by the road into the drainage and as a result, the tanker caught fire and affected the driver on the leg and the motor boy was also affected, “The duo was taken to a nearby hospital, and no life was lost during the incident as the road was temporarily closed,” he declared.
Meanwhile, normalcy has been restored for road users.
Recalled that a similar incident occured at Dikko in the Gurara Local government area of the state over a week ago during which no less than 100 people died and 60 others were injured with more than 20 houses and shops wholly razed down.
Also, six people were said to have been injured, 14 houses were totally destroyed, and 27 other houses were partially touched in another explosion that took place at Sabon- Pegi in the Mashegu local government area of the state on Sunday morning.
