Niger: Tragedy averted as fuel tanker overturns

• NSCDC, IBB University fire service mobilise to scene

From John Adams, Minna

The quick intervention of the men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the fire service department of the state-owned Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida University (IBBU) prevented another tragedy from a possible fuel tanker explosion in Niger State.

A fuel tanker said to be carrying 46,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and travelling from Lagos to Kano capsized and overturned its contents in the early hours of Sunday in Takalafiya (Press Safely) community, Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State.

The incident, which occurred around 8:00 am, prompted the University Fire Service and personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to swiftly move to the scene to avert a potential fire outbreak.

They were joined at the scene by members of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Lapai Chapter, who also mobilised to the scene to assist in managing the situation.

It was further gathered that some of the spilled fuel was recovered and reloaded into drums to prevent wastage and environmental hazards.

This latest accident is coming barely seven days after a similar fuel tanker accident at Essan community in Katcha Local Government Area of the state claimed 46 lives with over 52 others injured.

The less than 70-kilometre stretch of the Bida-Agaie-Lapai federal highway has remained notorious to road users, especially tankers, trucks and other articulated vehicles due to its deplorable condition.

No fewer than 30 tanker trailers have been involved in various accidents within this month of October alone along the highway.