By Newsmata
Scores of desperate youths on Thursday dared the consequences of a likely explosion as they thronged the scene of an overturned fuel tanker in Irrua, Esan West local government area of Edo State to scoop the incendiary product.
A viral video showed that a concerned citizen at the busy Benin-Abuja highway managed to discourage some of the youths from approaching the tanker, warning of the potential danger. The accident occurred in an area with dense vegetation, which could have led to a major fire outbreak.
Recall that in recent times, fuel tanker explosions had claimed about 300 lives in different parts of the country. In Niger State, no fewer than 86 people were killed January 18, 2025, and scores injured; on October 17, 2024, over 150 persons were killed in a similar incident in Jigawa State with many injured and others unaccounted for, while in Agbor, Delta State, about five persons died on January 5, 2025, when a tanker exploded after losing control.
Despite the warnings, some individuals still took the risk to continue salvaging the fuel with all manner of containers. There was no security presence at the scene to prevent the crowd from helping themselves to the spilled fuel from the tanker.
Efforts to reach the Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Police Command, Moses Yamu, for comments were unsuccessful.
Concerned Nigerians underscore the need for more public awareness on the dangers of scooping fuel from fallen tankers because of its inflammable nature.