NSEMA Confirms 42 Deaths in Niger Tanker Blast, Cites Bad Roads as Cause

A tragic tanker explosion in Niger State on Tuesday has claimed 42 lives and left 52 others injured, according to the Niger State Emergency Management Authority (NSEMA).

Speaking on Arise Television on Wednesday, the Director General of NSEMA, Abdullahi Baba Arah, confirmed the casualties and attributed the disaster to the poor condition of the road where the tanker overturned.

“The bad condition of the road is the major cause of the fallen tanker that led to the explosion,” he said.

Arah explained that the tanker lost balance and spilled its contents after falling along a damaged section of the road. Unfortunately, residents from nearby villages rushed to the scene to scoop the leaking fuel, unaware of the imminent danger.

“Because of the bad road, the tanker fell. Villagers came out in their numbers to scoop the fuel, but the high temperature ignited the fire, and unfortunately, many were trapped in the inferno,” he said.

Eyewitness reports suggest the explosion spread rapidly, engulfing people and nearby vehicles. Emergency services arrived at the scene to manage the fire and evacuate victims, though rescue efforts were hindered by the intensity of the flames.

The incident has sparked fresh concern about road safety and infrastructure maintenance in Nigeria, especially on highways used by fuel tankers. Authorities are urging the public to avoid the dangerous act of collecting fuel from fallen tankers, a recurring tragedy in several parts of the country.

As of now, the state government has ordered an assessment of the affected area and promised support for victims’ families.