The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed the death of 35 persons in a tragic tanker explosion that occurred along the Bida–Lapai route, after Badegi, on Tuesday.

The victims were reportedly burnt to death while attempting to scoop fuel from a crashed tanker.

In a press statement on Tuesday evening, the Corps expressed deep sorrow over the incident, describing it as a needless national tragedy born out of ignorance, greed, and disregard for safety warnings.

According to the FRSC Rescue Team deployed to the scene, the crash occurred at about 12:15 pm when a tanker laden with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) lost control due to the bad stretch of the road and overturned.

Moments after the crash, residents of the area were said to have rushed to the scene to scoop fuel from the fallen tanker before the volatile substance ignited, resulting in a massive fire that claimed 35 lives and injured 46 others.

The rescue team, led by the Unit Head of Operations, reportedly responded swiftly to the distress call and worked alongside the Niger State Fire Service, Bida Division, to put out the raging flames and evacuate survivors for urgent medical attention.

While commiserating with the victims and their families, the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, warned Nigerians against approaching fallen tankers or tampering with crash scenes involving flammable substances.

He further directed all FRSC formations across the country to intensify community-based sensitisation, especially in rural and high-risk areas, to discourage residents from engaging in fuel scooping.

He also called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, and local authorities to collaborate with the Corps in educating communities about the deadly consequences of such actions.

“This is not just a crash; it is a painful reminder that every time people ignore safety advice and rush to scoop petrol, they gamble with their lives. No litre of fuel is worth a human life,” he stated.

The statement recalled that most of the high fatalities recorded in 2024 were also linked to fuel scooping, while primary crashes involving tankers did not claim any lives.

The Corps reiterated its commitment to ensuring safer roads and preventing similar tragedies through continuous public enlightenment, strict enforcement, and collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

“To this end, the Corps once again appeals to the motoring public and residents along major highways to report any crash involving tankers or other hazardous materials immediately via the FRSC toll-free emergency number 122, rather than taking reckless actions that lead to avoidable loss of lives,” the statement added.