Few days after nearly 100 persons lost their lives in tanker accident in Niger State, some youths trooped out to the scene of a tanker accident in Jalingo, Taraba State capital, on Wednesday.

The tanker, it was gathered, crashed at Mile 6 in Jalingo, and spilled its content.

An eyewitness reported that the youths were scooping fuel from the faulty truck when security operatives arrived at the scene.

Men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and the police had to chase them off the scene. 

Amid the commotion, traders around the scene closed their shops and fled.

Spokesperson of the NSCDC, Taraba State Command, Mr. Illia Samuel confirmed the incident, adding that the driver of the tanker sustained injury and taken to the hospital for treatment.

Samuel said the Command urgently drafted its men to the accident scene to avert explosion and casualties.

“Immediately we got information about the accident, the command drafted our men to the scene to avert any occurrences that could lead to casualties. We are going to ensure that the area is safe, both for residents and travelers,” he said.

Police Public Relations Officer of Taraba State Command, SP Abdullahi Usman, also confirmed the incident.

The development came three days after the deadly tanker explosion that killed about 98 people around Dikko Junction, Gurara LGA, Niger State.

Death toll from the deadly explosion on Saturday is still rising.

Niger State has suffered several incidents in the past which resulted in several loss of lives.

More than 50 travellers died in a midnight tanker explosion along the Agaie-Badeggi road on September 8, 2024.