Tragedy averted as FRSC, security operatives prevent fuel tanker fire
Tawheed Yakub, Abuja
A major disaster was averted in Kogi State on Friday evening after a fuel tanker accident along the Felele Expressway, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed.
According to the Kogi State FRSC Sector Commander, Mr. Tenimu Etuku, the incident occurred around 5 p.m. near the Crusher area in Lokoja when a tanker heading to Abuja detached from its head and rolled into a ditch.
Read also: Big explosion averted as fuel tanker overturns
“Fortunately, no lives were lost. The driver and his assistant escaped unhurt,” Etuku told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Upon receiving the distress call, FRSC personnel quickly arrived at the scene and alerted other security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Mobile Police Unit, to provide security coverage.
Read also: 14 passengers killed as tanker, bus collide
Etuku said the swift response was necessary to prevent residents from scooping fuel from the tanker a common but deadly practice.
“We wanted to avoid a repeat of the tragic incidents in Niger and Jigawa states, where several people lost their lives while attempting to scoop fuel,” he explained.
Although a few individuals initially tried to collect the spilled fuel before officers arrived, they were dispersed immediately. The accident site was later cordoned off with the help of security operatives and local community leaders.
“We’ve agreed with community leaders to ensure nobody gains access to the ditch where the tanker fell,” Etuku added, appealing to residents to stay away from the area to prevent a potential fire outbreak.
The warning comes just days after a tanker explosion in Niger State claimed at least 45 lives and left 62 others severely injured.
The tragic incident occurred on Tuesday in Essa community, along the Bida–Badegi–Agaie Road, after a tanker overturned in a lone crash. According to Hussaini Isah, Head of Operations at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Minna Office, the accident was caused by poor road conditions.
Rescue operations were hindered by heavy traffic, bad roads, and poor communication networks.
Isah revealed that the casualties included 12 men, 27 women, and six children, while the injured victims are being treated at multiple hospitals, including Umaru Sanda General Hospital, Federal Medical Centre, Bida, and Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital.
“All the victims were affected while attempting to scoop fuel from the crashed tanker,” Isah said, urging the public to desist from such dangerous acts.
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