A petrol tanker explosion has claimed 39 lives and left more than 60 others with severe burns in the Essan community, Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State.
The tragic incident occurred around 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, along the Bida–Badegi–Agaie road. Witnesses said the explosion happened while residents attempted to scoop fuel from a fallen tanker.
Emergency responders were immediately deployed to the scene following directives from the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar. The Head of the Minna Operations Office, Mr. Hussaini Isah, led the rescue team in collaboration with the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, the police, NSCDC, FRSC, DSS, local vigilantes, and community volunteers.
The injured victims were evacuated to nearby health facilities, including the Essan Primary Health Centre, Idris Private Hospital, and the Federal Medical Centre, Bida, for emergency treatment. A joint rescue team has since begun a detailed assessment of the damage in the affected area.
While commiserating with the families of the victims, NEMA’s Director-General cautioned Nigerians against the dangerous act of scooping fuel from accident scenes, describing it as a recurring cause of avoidable loss of lives and property.
Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State also expressed condolences to the families affected by the tragedy, describing the incident as a devastating loss for the state.
Fuel tanker explosions have continued to pose serious dangers across the country. Similar incidents have claimed dozens of lives in states such as Rivers, Benue, and Ogun. In January 2025, at least 50 people were killed in a tanker explosion in Suleja, Niger State, while several others were injured in similar accidents in Ondo and Ogun States in recent years.
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