Recurring
tanker explosions continue to claim lives in Nigeria, with the latest incident
occurring on Wednesday evening along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway. A cement-laden
truck lost control and crashed into stationary vehicles, resulting in a massive
explosion.
Footage from
the scene showed thick black smoke and panicked motorists making U-turns.
Witnesses reported that many victims were trapped in their burning vehicles.
The Federal Capital Territory Police confirmed that six people lost their lives
in the disaster.
Between
January 2009 and October 2024, Nigeria recorded 169 tanker explosions, causing
1,613 deaths. The year 2019 alone saw 29 explosions with 203 fatalities.
However, in
2024, the figures worsened, with 61 killed in Niger State in September and 150
in Jigawa State in October, surpassing the 2019 record. Many truck drivers,
often under the influence of alcohol and drugs, drive recklessly, endangering
other road users. Enforcing operational rules and using breathalyzers to test
drivers for alcohol consumption could reduce such incidents.
On March 11,
a gas tanker overturned on Otedola Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway,
igniting a fire that claimed two lives, injured three, and destroyed 12
vehicles and roadside structures. The accident was blamed on brake failure.
Lagos State authorities revealed that the driver ignored a ‘No Truck Allowed’
sign, underscoring the need for strict enforcement of traffic regulations.
Nigeria’s
weak enforcement of safety procedures has turned tanker explosions into a
recurring tragedy. In January 2024, 86 people died in a Niger State tanker
fire. A week later, another tanker crash on the Enugu-Onitsha Road claimed 18
lives. Many tankers are old, poorly maintained, and overloaded beyond their
capacity, making them prone to accidents. The government’s ban on 60,000-litre
tankers, effective March 1, must be strictly enforced.
The collapse
of depots and pipelines forces petroleum transporters to rely on hazardous road
transport. The government should rehabilitate these facilities to reduce road
tanker movements.
To prevent
further tragedies, accident sites must be sealed off immediately to stop people
from scooping fuel. In countries like the UK, petroleum transport is strictly
regulated, and major accidents are rare. The last significant fuel tanker
explosion in Europe occurred in Italy in 2018, killing two people.
In Nigeria,
however, tanker explosions are frequent due to aged and faulty trucks. Many
remain in use without maintenance until they break down. The Otedola Bridge and
Abuja accidents occurred during peak hours, highlighting the need to restrict
fuel tankers from the roads during busy periods.
The revival
of railway transport for petroleum products is essential. CCTV cameras should
monitor truck movements, and technology should be used to track fuel
temperatures, preventing overheating and explosions. Firefighters and road
safety officials must be strategically stationed to respond to emergencies.
Many
tankers, originally designed to carry 33,000 litres, are illegally upgraded to
45,000 litres or more for profit, increasing accident risks. Strict enforcement
of regulations is crucial to ending this cycle of deadly explosions.
