Fuel Tanker explosions kill hundreds in five years – Over 80 deadly blasts

NGOZI NWOKE THE SUN

No fewer than 555 persons have been killed in petrol tanker fire explosions across the country between January 2020 and January 2025. The accidents, numbering about 80, also resulted in hundreds of persons being injured as well as buildings, vehicles, and other valuables worth millions being destroyed.

Available records show that in 2020, 18 tanker explosions occurred. The incidents took place at Kara, Ogun State on June 21; Azare, Bauchi, on June 27; Ologobo, Delta State on July 22; Kano on July 27; Mile 2, Lagos on August 7; Lambatta, Niger State on August 6; Irete, Imo State on August 14; Lokoja, Kogi State on September 23, Magboro, Ogun State on December 2, among other incidents in other states.

In the incidents, a total number of 161 people lost their lives. In 2021, there were 19 tanker explosions, including the ones on January 19th in Abeokuta, Ogun State; February 8th, Aguleri, Anambra State; April 18th, Agatu, Benue State; 16 June, Ajilete, Ogun State; May 22, Kano; June 22, Ogere, Ogun State; September 28, Omerelu, Rivers State; October 13, Mubi, Adamawa State; November 19, Ibadan, Oyo State; and other states, where a total number of 55 people perished.

There were 14 tanker explosions in 2022, beginning with the January 28th incident at Onitsha, Anambra State; February 18, Isara, Ogun State; March 28, Lekki, Lagos State; April 22, Alagbado, Lagos State; November 11, Ofu, Kogi State; November 15, Awka, Anambra State; December 22, Aba, Abia State; September 3, Lambe, Ogun State and other states killing a total number of 76 people.