- Fuel tanker explosions continue to rise, leading to a call for urgent action
- Dangerous practice of fuel scooping has turned into a deadly crisis claiming human lives and properties
- Over 555 fatalities were recorded in fuel tanker explosions from January 2020 to January 2025
The deadly practice of fuel scooping when fuel tankers overturned has turned into a deadly national crisis, claiming hundreds of lives from tanker explosions.
According to reports, no fewer than 555 lives have been lost in tragic fuel tanker explosions between January 2020 and January 2025.
TheRadar compiled the timeline of fuel tanker explosions below:
Fuel tanker explosions in Nigeria
1. 2025 (January)
7 explosions, killing 119 people. Notable incidents include:
- Agbor, Delta State on January 5
- Dikko-Maje, Niger State on January 18
- Enugu State on January 25
2. 2024
13 explosions, claiming 85 lives. Notable incidents include:
- Jigawa State on October 16
- Ibafo area, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Ogun State on October 16
- Eleme, Rivers State on April 26
- Ometan, Delta State on May 3
- Ijesha, Lagos State on May 10
- Kubwa, FCT on July 11
3. 2023
13 explosions, causing 118 fatalities. Notable incidents include:
- Koko, Delta State on October 1
- Iganmu, Lagos State on October 12
- Jebba, Kwara State on October 23
- Ijora, Lagos State on October 12
- Rigasa, Kaduna State on October 26
- Peke, Kwara State on November 28
- Abakaliki, Ebonyi State on December 29
4. 2022
14 explosions, resulting in 76 deaths. Notable incidents include:
- Onitsha, Anambra State on January 28
- Isara, Ogun State on March 28
- Alagbado, Lagos State on on April 22
- Ofu, Kogi State on November 10
- Aba, Abia State on September 3
5. 2021
19 explosions, killing 55 people. Notable incidents include:
- Aguleri, Anambra State on February 21
- Agatu, Benue State on April 18
- Ajilete, Ogun State on June 16
- Ogere, Ogun State on June 22
- Omerelu, Rivers State on September 28
- Mubi, Adamawa State on October 13
6. 2020
18 explosions occurred, resulting in 161 fatalities. Notable incidents include:
- Kara, Ogun State on June 21
- Azare, Bauchi, on June 27
- Ologobo, Delta State on July 22
- Kano on July 27
- Mile 2, Lagos on August 7
- Irete, Imo State on August 14
- Lokoja, Kogi State on September 23
- Magboro, Ogun State on December 2
NEMA distributes relief materials following tragic tanker fire in Niger
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) distributed food, non-food items, and medical supplies following the petrol tanker explosion at Dikko Junction, Niger State.
According to reports, the tanker fire disaster claimed 98 lives, injured 69, and destroyed 20 shops