A major disaster was averted on Friday evening in Kogi State when a fuel tanker accident was swiftly contained by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other security agencies.
The incident occurred around 5 p.m. at the Crusher area on the Felele Expressway in Lokoja. The tanker, en route to Abuja, detached from its head and rolled into a roadside ditch.
FRSC Sector Commander in Kogi, Tenimu Etuku, confirmed that no casualties were recorded. Both the driver and his assistant escaped unhurt.
Upon receiving the alert, FRSC personnel responded immediately and coordinated with the police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and Mobile Police to secure the area.
Etuku said the swift deployment was aimed at preventing locals from attempting to scoop fuel, a practice that has led to deadly fires in other states. “We don’t want a repeat of what happened in Niger and Jigawa states,” he said.
Despite initial attempts by some individuals to collect the spilt fuel, security operatives and community leaders intervened to disperse the crowd and cordon off the area.
Etuku praised the cooperation of the Crusher community leaders, who joined efforts to prevent access to the accident site. He urged residents to resist the temptation to collect fuel, warning of the catastrophic risks involved.
The incident comes days after a similar tanker accident in Niger State claimed 45 lives and left 62 others severely injured. Victims were reportedly scooping fuel when the tanker exploded.
According to the National Emergency Management Agency, poor road conditions and traffic congestion hindered rescue efforts in the Niger incident. Many victims suffered severe burns and are receiving treatment in various hospitals.
The Kogi incident highlights the importance of rapid emergency response and public awareness in preventing fuel-related tragedies. Authorities continue to emphasise the dangers of fuel scooping and the need for community cooperation during such emergencies.
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