555 Lives Lost in Nigeria’s Tanker Fire Disasters, Hundreds Injured – FRSC
The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has revealed that at least 555 people lost their lives in petrol tanker fire explosions across Nigeria between January 2020 and January 2025.
The data, disclosed by Mrs. Joyce Alexander, Sector Commander of the FRSC Anambra Command, was presented in Awka on Thursday during a town hall meeting on tanker and trailer safety challenges in Nigeria.
According to Alexander, the country recorded about 80 tanker explosions within the five-year period, leaving hundreds injured and causing the destruction of buildings, vehicles, and other property worth millions of naira.
She further detailed that in 2020 alone, there were 18 tanker explosions, leading to 161 fatalities, while 19 such incidents in 2021 claimed 55 lives. In 2022, 14 tanker explosions resulted in 76 deaths, followed by 13 explosions in 2023 that led to 118 fatalities. Similarly, in 2024, 13 tanker-related fires caused 85 deaths.
“So far, in January 2025, there have been seven recorded tanker explosions,” Alexander stated.
She highlighted the risks posed by the large number of trucks transporting hydrocarbons on Nigerian roads daily, warning that neglecting safety measures could lead to severe consequences, including environmental hazards, loss of lives, and destruction of property. One of the most alarming concerns, she noted, is the public’s tendency to scoop fuel from fallen tankers, which significantly increases casualties in cases of fire outbreaks.
“In Anambra alone, we have recorded four trailer-related crashes in the past three months, which claimed 24 lives and left many others injured. These are avoidable accidents,” she lamented.
The town hall meeting, she explained, aimed to develop strategies to curb recurring crashes and explosions. She emphasized that the FRSC had implemented measures to enforce the installation of speed-limiting devices and other safety requirements in haulage vehicles.
She also called for continuous training of tanker drivers on road safety rules and urged tanker operators to prioritize proper vehicle maintenance.
“We recommend valid vehicle registration and display, valid driver’s license classification, and stricter sanctions for operators whose tankers are involved in crashes through legislative measures,” she said. “Additionally, establishing rest areas within the state will help prevent driver fatigue. We also appeal to the police to ease traffic congestion by reducing checkpoints on articulated vehicle routes.”
However, SCP Uche Noah, the Divisional Police Officer of B-Division, Awka, responded that security concerns made it impossible to remove police checkpoints. He also urged drivers to avoid operating under the influence of alcohol or illicit substances.
Meanwhile, some tanker drivers and transport unions pointed to economic hardship, excessive police checkpoints, and the activities of the Anambra State Road Traffic Management Agency as significant challenges affecting tanker drivers. They also cited impatience and poverty as factors contributing to the high number of tanker-related accidents.
NAN
The post 555 Lives Lost in Nigeria’s Tanker Fire Disasters, Hundreds Injured – FRSC appeared first on Kano Times.
