Nigeria Petrol Tanker Explosions Cause Hundreds of Deaths

Abuja – Data from the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) shows that petrol tanker explosions killed 555 people in Nigeria between January 2020 and January 2025.

Rising Toll of Tanker Accidents

FRSC sector commander Joyce Alexander reported 80 crashes that also caused many injuries and destroyed property. She noted that over 2,000 trucks carry hydrocarbons daily, and safety neglect has severe consequences. The number of deaths varied each year: 161 in 2020, 55 in 2021, 76 in 2022, 118 in 2023, and 85 in 2024. Alexander highlighted the dangerous practice of fuel scooping at crash sites, which increases fatalities.

Safety Measures and Challenges

Alexander called for stricter road safety enforcement, driver training, speed limiters, and vehicle maintenance. A police official cited security concerns for maintaining traffic checkpoints. Drivers and unions mentioned economic hardship and checkpoints as operational challenges. The FRSC aims to develop strategies to reduce petrol tanker explosions and save lives.

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