DIKKO, Nigeria – At least 70 people were killed and 56 injured in Niger State, Nigeria, on Saturday after a petrol tanker overturned and exploded, the National Emergency Management Authority, NEMA, reported.
The tragedy also destroyed over 15 shops in the area.
The explosion occurred in the town of Dikko in northern Nigeria when a large crowd of impoverished residents gathered to scoop fuel from the overturned tanker despite warnings from authorities.
“A large crowd of people gathered to scoop fuel despite concerted efforts to stop them,” said Kumar Tsukwam, the Federal Road Safety Corps sector commander for Niger State.
The fire was extinguished by firefighters, but the damage had already been done.
A witness described residents and officials digging graves late into Saturday night to bury victims in accordance with Islamic rites.
Niger State is predominantly Muslim, and Islamic traditions require prompt burial of the deceased.
Scene of the petrol tankers explosion in Dikko, Niger State, Nigeria, on January 18, 2025. | next24online/NurPhoto via Getty Images
A Recurring Tragedy
This incident echoes a similar disaster in Jigawa State in October 2024, when 153 people died in one of Nigeria’s worst fuel-related explosions.
Such accidents have become alarmingly frequent in Africa’s largest oil producer, where fuel spills often attract desperate locals seeking free petrol.
Fuel Price Surge and Rising Risks
The explosion comes amid Nigeria’s worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.
Fuel prices have soared over 400% since President Bola Tinubu eliminated a decades-old subsidy upon taking office in May 2023.
The skyrocketing prices have made petrol increasingly unaffordable for many Nigerians, pushing some to dangerous measures like scavenging fuel from tanker spills.
Niger State Governor’s spokesperson, Bologi Ibrahim, urged residents to prioritise safety in similar situations.
“Residents should give priority to their safety when petrol tanker trucks are involved in accidents,” Ibrahim said.
Ongoing Recovery
Recovery efforts are still underway, with the injured receiving treatment in local hospitals. Officials and humanitarian agencies are working to identify victims and support affected families.
This tragedy underscores the dire social and economic challenges faced by many Nigerians and the urgent need for improved safety measures to prevent such disasters.
