Tragedy struck on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, when a fuel tanker exploded along the Bida–Agaie highway in Niger State, killing more than 30 people and injuring several others.
The deadly incident, which occurred around 11:00 a.m. near Badeggi community in Katcha Local Government Area, happened after the tanker, reportedly loaded with petrol and headed to the northern region from Lagos, overturned and spilled its contents on the road.
Residents and motorists were said to have rushed to the scene to scoop the leaking fuel before the tanker suddenly erupted into flames, triggering a powerful blast that engulfed people, vehicles, and motorcycles nearby.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes as bodies were recovered from the debris while emergency teams struggled to control the fire.
Several victims were burnt beyond recognition, and those injured were evacuated to hospitals in Bida and Agaie for treatment.
Chairman of the Niger State Tanker Drivers Association and National Ex-Officio of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Comrade Farouk Kawo, called the disaster “devastating and completely avoidable.”
Kawo confirmed the incident and blamed it on the deteriorating condition of the Bida–Agaie road, which he said had become a recurring death trap for motorists.
“We’ve recorded over 30 tanker accidents on this same route just this month. This tragedy could have been prevented if the road was fixed,” Kawo said.
He appealed to Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago to take urgent steps to rehabilitate the route, warning that continued neglect would lead to further loss of lives and property.
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“Government action is now a matter of survival, not convenience. Every day this road remains in this state, lives are at risk,” he added.
As of press time, the official casualty figures had not been released by the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), and attempts to reach its Director-General, Abdullahi Baba-Arah, were unsuccessful.
The Bida–Agaie highway is a major link between southern and northern Nigeria, frequently used by fuel tankers.
Residents say the poor condition of the road, coupled with reckless driving, has made it a hotspot for fatal crashes.