The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Wednesday confirmed that 39 people have died and over 60 others sustained severe burns in Tuesday’s petrol tanker explosion in Essan community, Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State.
The tragic explosion occurred around 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday, October 22, 2025, along the Bida–Badegi–Agaie road, when residents reportedly rushed to scoop petrol from a fallen tanker before it suddenly exploded.
In an update shared on its official X handle on Wednesday, NEMA said the victims included men, women, and children who had gathered at the scene to collect the spilled fuel.
“The explosion claimed 39 lives and left over 60 persons with severe burns. The victims were among those attempting to scoop fuel from the fallen tanker when it exploded,” the agency stated.
Following the incident, NEMA’s Director-General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, directed the Head of the Minna Operations Office, Mr. Hussaini Isah, to deploy an emergency team to the area to assist the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) and other responders in rescue efforts.
A multi-agency response team comprising the Police, NSCDC, FRSC, DSS, local vigilantes, and community volunteers has since been on ground, evacuating victims and conducting damage assessment.
The injured are being treated at Essan Primary Health Centre, Idris Private Hospital, and the Federal Medical Centre, Bida, while the remains of the deceased have been released to their families.
NEMA’s Director-General, while commiserating with the families of the victims, described the tragedy as “avoidable” and warned Nigerians against the recurring practice of scooping fuel from accident scenes.
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“We must stop this dangerous habit. It has repeatedly led to loss of lives and property. People should report such incidents to emergency agencies instead of endangering their lives,” she said.
Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State has also expressed condolences to the affected families and directed that the injured receive immediate medical attention.
Fuel tanker explosions remain a recurring tragedy in parts of Nigeria, often linked to unsafe fuel scavenging. Similar incidents in Suleja, Ondo, and along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway in recent years have claimed dozens of lives.
Authorities say a full investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of Tuesday’s tanker fall and explosion.