A fuel tanker explosion in Majiya, Jigawa State, a northern region of Nigeria, has resulted in the death of at least 153 individuals and left over 100 others with serious injuries. The catastrophic incident took place on the evening of October 15, 2024, following the overturning of a fuel tanker on a major highway. Following the accident, locals quickly gathered to collect the spilling fuel from the capsized tanker, which had leaked gasoline into a nearby drainage ditch.
According to a statement by Jigawa State Police spokesperson, Shiisu Lawan Adam, “The driver lost control, and the tanker somersaulted and spilled fuel into a drainage ditch.” This unfortunate event led locals to rush to the scene to gather the spilled fuel, which resulted in the explosion. Reports indicate that the driver was trying to prevent a collision with another truck, leading to the overturning of the vehicle.
Due to the sheer number of fatalities, mass burials were organized on October 16 and 17. The Nigerian medical association issued a call to doctors to aid at nearby hospitals, which were dealing with an influx of severely burned patients. The majority of the injured individuals were transported to local medical facilities in Ringim and Hadejia for emergency treatment.
Majiya resident and farmer, Mustapha Majiya, confirmed that nearly 50 members of his extended family perished in the explosion, which lit up the night sky. Among the victims were his nephews, Nuradeen Rabiu, 16, and Dini Babalo, 17. They had attempted to deter people from gathering fuel from the overturned tanker before the explosion, according to the 50-year-old resident of Majia who spoke to the BBC.
This unfortunate incident is one among several similar fuel tanker accidents in Nigeria, a country grappling with a high rate of such incidents. Nigeria’s lack of an efficient railway system necessitates the transportation of fuel and other cargo via roadways. In 2020 alone, Nigeria recorded over 1,500 fuel tanker accidents, leading to 535 deaths and 1,142 injuries. The causes are often attributed to poor road conditions, reckless driving, and improper vehicle maintenance. Recent months have seen a number of fatal incidents, including a similarly tragic event in Niger State which claimed at least 48 lives in September.
Nigeria’s economic crisis has compounded the situation, prompting many to risk their lives collecting spilled fuel. Gasoline prices have tripled since the government ceased fuel subsidies last year, making fuel a scarce and valuable resource. Poverty is widespread throughout the nation, intensifying desperation and risky behavior. Many of the victims in Majiya were attempting to gather the leaked fuel either for domestic use or resale to alleviate their financial struggles.
In a Wednesday statement, Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima expressed his deep condolences for the victims of the explosion, acknowledging the significant impact of the disaster on families. He underlined the widespread effects of the incident on the community and confirmed the government’s commitment to provide the necessary resources to aid the injured and support families affected by the tragedy.
