•As another petrol tanker overturns 6 days after deadly incident
From Samson Alfa, Minna
Niger State Emergency Management Agency, NSEMA, the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, Lapai chapter, Fire Service and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, among others yesterday, averted a repeat of the recent tanker explosion disaster that killed at least 57 persons and injured 52 on the Bida-Agaie-Lambata road.
AljazirahNigeria gather that the combined team quickly mobilised to the scene of a fallen Kano-bound tanker coming from Lagos along Takalafiya community, in Lapai Local Government Area, Niger State, at about 8:00am, yesterday.
The agencies and community members according to eyewitnesses “really assisted in managing the situation”, and to prevent possible fire disaster.
NSEMA Director of Information and Linkages, Dr. Ibrahim Hussaini confirmed the incident.
Hussaini was quoted as saying that “The incident occurred this morning. We thanked God, there is no casualties due to interventions of the Fire Service, NSCDC, members of NUPENG who were on hand to ensure the situation is brought to control”.
Such incidents are common in Nigeria.
It would be recalled that six days ago, a petrol tanker overturned and spilled its contents in Essa community in Katcha Local Government Area, Niger State, and some disgruntled and greedy residents were scooping petrol which resulted in explosion.
The incident which occurred on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 has so far claimed over 57 lives and left about 52 receiving treatment in various hospitals in the area.
Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Works has expressed dissatisfaction with the level of mobilisation by the contractor handling the Lambata–Lapai–Bida Road project, urging faster action.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, while inspecting the road at the weekend emphasised the need for urgency in the rehabilitation against the backdrop of the tanker explosion that claimed many lives on Oct.21 around Essa village in Niger State.
The 124.8-kilometre road project, awarded in 2018, experienced some setbacks but was taken over by President Bola Tinubu’s administration and divided into phases one and two for completion.
Phase one of the project, covering 92 kilometres from Lambata to Agai, is valued at ₦39 billion.
It was initially designed to last for 24 months but was extended by another 24 months due to delays.
Phase two, which covers the most critical section from Agai to Bida, is yet to be awarded.
Umahi, represented by Mr Salihu Ahmed, Director, Highways, North-Central, directed the immediate mobilisation of additional equipment and personnel to fasten the pace of the project.
The Minister, expressing his displeasure, said, “The level of mobilisation is not enough. You can not explain what you are doing here.
Umahi said the ministry would re-scope the project to determine the extent of work required on the uncompleted section and ensure rapid progress.
“The contractor needs to mobilise more equipment to the site and let us have free movement of vehicles. Failure to do so, in the next one or two weeks, we will see action”, he added.
The project manager of CGC Nigeria, Fan Bo, assured that the company would mobilise more equipment within days to intensify work and ease movement on the route.
“Please, do not worry. We promise to bring more machines and mobilise fully in the next few days”, he said.
Also speaking, Deputy Director of Construction at the Niger State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure Development, Nasir Ahmed, commended the Minister’s directive, aimed at ensuring free vehicular movement and reducing accidents along the busy corridor.
“This is a follow-up to the Niger State governor’s efforts. The minister wants serious action so that there will be no more gridlocks or accidents on this road”, he said.
Ahmed urged motorists, especially truck drivers, to ply the road patiently and cooperate with the contractors during the construction period.
“Their impatience causes a lot of the nuisances we see. They should be patient and follow instructions so that work can progress smoothly”, he advised.
The delegation paid a condolence visit to the District Head of Essa in Katcha Local Government Area, Muhammad Daud, over a recent tanker explosion that claimed several lives along the route.
The district head appreciated the visit but expressed concern over recurring accidents.
He urged road safety officials to clamp down on individuals who hang or sleep on moving heavy-duty vehicles, describing the practice as dangerous and unacceptable.
“The area has a lot of wealth but the road is in a terrible state, and to add to that, a lot of trucks disobey traffic rules with people overloading on them, risking their lives and causing accidents.
“If the road is repaired, the incidences would reduce, and I also call on the Federal Road Safety officials to step up and help us address some of these issues”, he said.
