- Last week, a petrol-laden tanker exploded in Majiya town, Taura LGA, Jigawa State, along the Kano-Hadejia expressway.
- Jigawa Governor Umar Namadi briefed President Bola Tinubu on October 22, reporting 181 fatalities and 210 affected families from the tanker explosion.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has cautioned Nigerians against scooping petrol from fallen tankers, citing suicidal risks.
Atiku on October 16 suggested trains as a safer alternative for transporting petroleum products.
The country has witnessed repeated fuel scooping incidents, resulting in severe casualties and injuries.
A viral video showed Akamkpa LGA, Cross River residents scooping fuel from a fallen tanker — residents used buckets and kegs to take fuel from the tanker.
Condemning the reoccurrence, Atiku urged the federal government to educate Nigerians on the dangers of scooping petroleum products from crashed tankers.
“I know that the times are tough for Nigerians. It has even been made more challenging by the trial-and-error policies of this bumbling administration,” Atiku said.
“However, your lives are the most precious things that should never be mortgaged. This is why it is pertinent that the concerned government MDAs should commence a robust campaign to educate citizens on the dangers of scooping fuel from fallen petroleum tankers.”
“Your lives matter to you and your loved ones. Scooping petrol, a highly flammable liquid from a fallen tanker, is a suicide that no one should undertake.”
“We’ve experienced too many tragedies from incidents such as the latest one in Cross River State, and everything must be done to avert another.”