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Monday, February 17, 2025

Over 70 Killed in Fuel Tanker Explosion in Northern Nigeria –

At least 70 people lost their lives, and dozens were injured in a tragic fuel tanker explosion in Niger State, northern Nigeria, on Saturday, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has reported.

The disaster occurred when a petrol tanker overturned, spilling fuel that later ignited, causing a massive explosion. According to NEMA, “over 70 bodies have been recovered, 56 individuals are injured, and more than 15 shops have been destroyed.”

According to Reuters reports, emergency workers transported the injured to hospitals while efforts to recover the bodies continue.

Witnesses reported that local residents, many struggling with poverty, rushed to collect the spilled petrol despite warnings, contributing to the scale of the tragedy. Federal Road Safety Corps sector commander Kumar Tsukwam confirmed that “a large crowd gathered to scoop fuel despite concerted efforts to stop them.”

This incident follows a similar explosion in Jigawa State in October 2024, which claimed 147 lives, making it one of the deadliest fuel-related tragedies in recent years.

Nigerian authorities, including Governor Niger State’s spokesperson Bologi Ibrahim, have urged citizens to prioritize safety and avoid approaching tanker accidents.

Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, is grappling with economic challenges, including a steep rise in petrol prices following the removal of fuel subsidies by President Bola Tinubu in May 2023. This cost-of-living crisis has intensified desperation, leading to such avoidable tragedies.

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