By Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka, Abuja Group Warns
Accident Prevention and Rescue Initiative (APRI), a road safety focused Organisation, has warned Nigerians on the grave dangers of scooping fuel from fallen tankers.
The Executive Director of the Organization, Amb. Fidelis Nnadi, in a press release in Abuja, expressed concern over the widespread habit of some people rushing to scoop fuel from fallen tankers and described such attitude as not only dangerous but suicidal.
Nnadi condemned the those involved on such dangerous moves, regretting the level of ignorance of these people despite the dangers associated with scooping of fuel which he said is responsible for the number of casualties witnessed whenever fuel tanker accident happens in any part of the country.
According to Nnadi, the recent fuel tanker explosion disaster in Suleja, Niger State, is a stark reminder of the recurring tragedies caused by fuel scooping in Nigeria with nearly hundred lives lost in that incident.
Nnadi further recalled that on October 17th, 2024, fuel tanker overturned and exploded in Jigawa state, killing not less that one hundred and fifty -three persons who had rushed to the scene of the accident to scoop petrol.
“subsequent fuel tanker accident occurred in Enugu State, at Ugwu Onyama, and where one hundred lives were reportedly lost.
“In addition such happened in Anambra State at Army Barracks Onitsha, Zik’s Round About Onitsha, and the popular Upper-Iweka axis as people were rushing to the scene of the accident with their gallons and buckets to scoop fuel at the risk of their lives.
“The reoccurring fuel tanker accidents on the roads have claimed so many lives of innocent people and as long as people continue to ignore security warnings and cautioning restraining them from scooping fuel, many people will loose their lives in such calamity, Nnadi warned.
Stressing further Amb Nnadi disgree with pundits that those engaged in scooping fuel were driven by poverty, arguing that no poor person will see death and want to die.
Scooping fuel from the fallen tanker should be avoided at all cost. It is a disaster waiting to happen.
There are many inherent dangers associated with it, including chronic health hazards, environmental damage, severe burns and injuries, and above all untimely deaths.
Nnadi advised that government should consider delopying fire fighting service stations and emergency response team on every 20km on Nigeria Highways.
Amb. Fidelis Nnadi expressed willingness APRI to partner with the government at all levels to enlighten Nigerians on the dangers of scooping fuel and other petroleum products from fallen tankers to avoid the huge loss of lives and property.
Finally, Amb. Nnadi called on security agencies to arrest and prosecute owners of such fallen tanker for entrusting the vehicle to a reckless driver and urge legislators to enact laws that would discourage the movement of vehicles carrying highly inflatable products on the road during the day, Nnadi concluded.