Saturday’s devastating petrol tanker explosion at the Dikko Junction, Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State, which claimed over 80 lives and left many injured, serves as yet another grim reminder of the deadly consequences of fuel scooping. This tragic incident, like many before it, underscores an alarming trend that continues to plague Nigeria, as individuals risk their lives to collect fuel from fallen tankers.
Unfortunately, despite repeated tragedies, the practice remains disturbingly rampant, calling for urgent and decisive action to address the underlying causes and prevent future disasters.
The explosion in Niger State is not an isolated event. Similar incidents have occurred across the country over the years, each marked by catastrophic loss of life. In 2019, for instance, over 50 people died in Ahumbe, Benue State, when a tanker explosion occurred as people attempted to scoop fuel. In 2018, another 35 people lost their lives in a similar explosion in Lokoja, Kogi State.
Apparently, these incidents are part of a long and tragic history of avoidable deaths, often leaving families and communities devastated and traumatised.
The factors driving this dangerous behaviour are complex but not insurmountable. Poverty, unemployment and a lack of awareness about the risks associated with scooping fuel contribute significantly to the problem.
Many citizens, desperate to make ends meet, see fallen tankers as an opportunity to secure fuel for personal use or sale, oblivious to the life-threatening danger they face.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to commence a nationwide campaign against fuel scooping is a welcome step. Awareness campaigns highlighting the dangers of this practice are essential to educating citizens about the risks and dissuading them from engaging in such hazardous activities. However, public enlightenment alone is insufficient.
There must be stronger enforcement of road safety and security measures to prevent tanker accidents in the first place. Tanker drivers and operators must adhere to strict safety regulations, including regular vehicle maintenance, proper securing of fuel tanks and adherence to speed limits. They must also desist from driving under the influence of alcohol and, or, drugs.
Law enforcement agencies must ensure compliance and penalise violations. Furthermore, emergency response units should be equipped and trained to manage accident sites effectively, securing the area promptly to prevent public access.
This is a wake-up call to governments at all levels to also address the socio-economic factors that drive individuals to engage in fuel scooping. Investing in job creation, vocational training and social welfare programmes will help reduce the desperation that leads people to risk their lives in search of short-term financial gains.
Ultimately, the responsibility lies with all stakeholders – government agencies, community leaders, media organisations and individuals – to foster a culture of safety and responsibility. The tragic loss of lives in Niger State and other parts of the country should not be in vain. By addressing the root causes of fuel scooping and implementing preventive measures, Nigeria can avoid a repeat of these preventable tragedies.
As we mourn the lives lost in this latest incident, let us honour their memory by taking decisive action to ensure that such a calamity never happens again. Fuel scooping is a dangerous and unnecessary gamble with life – one that the nation can ill afford to continue witnessing.