Key Points
- 555 people have died in tanker explosions in Nigeria from 2020 to 2025.
- Reckless fuel scooping makes explosions more deadly.
- The FRSC calls for better vehicle maintenance, training, and stronger safety measures.
The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has reported that 555 people lost their lives in petrol tanker explosions in Nigeria from January 2020 to January 2025.
The accidents also caused many injuries and extensive damage to property. This information was shared during a town hall meeting on tanker safety in Awka, organized by the FRSC.
Many lives lost in tanker explosions
Joyce Alexander, the Sector Commander for the FRSC Anambra Command, revealed the shocking figures. The report shows that in 2020, 18 tanker explosions resulted in 161 deaths. In 2021, 19 explosions caused 55 deaths.
The number of deaths rose again in 2022 to 76, with 14 explosions. In 2023, 118 people died in 13 tanker explosions, and in 2024, 85 people lost their lives in 13 incidents. So far, in 2025, there have been seven tanker explosions already.
Dangers of reckless fuel scooping
Alexander said that these accidents also cause severe damage to buildings, vehicles, and other properties. She explained that over 2,000 trucks carry hydrocarbons across Nigerian roads daily.
If safety measures are not followed, the consequences can be severe. One dangerous habit that makes the situation worse is when people scoop fuel from tanker accidents. This often leads to fires and worsens the number of deaths and injuries during explosions.
Steps to improve safety
During the meeting, Alexander called for better safety measures to stop these accidents. The FRSC has already started enforcing the installation of speed-limiting devices and other safety features on trucks.
She also stressed the importance of regular training for tanker drivers and strict adherence to road safety rules.
Alexander suggested that tanker operators should maintain their vehicles properly, checking for problems like brake failures, worn-out tyres, and faulty manholes.
She also recommended that stronger laws should punish tanker operators whose vehicles cause accidents.
The sector commander also urged the government to set up rest areas for drivers to prevent fatigue. Additionally, she called on the police to reconsider their traffic checkpoints on busy routes used by large vehicles.
Challenges faced by tanker drivers
Tanker drivers and transport unions also shared their concerns. They mentioned that many of them face difficulties such as economic hardship, impatience, and excessive police checkpoints.
They also pointed to the actions of the Anambra State Road Traffic Management Agency as part of the problem.
