Petrol Tanker Crashes in Jigawa

A petrol tanker has overturned and spilt its contents along Maiduguri Road near Kiyawa Roundabout in Jigawa State, attracting a crowd of residents and passersby.

The accident occurred at about 9:30 pm on Saturday, with some people reportedly gathering at the scene with buckets, containers, and other items, apparently intending to collect the spilt fuel despite the risk of a fire.

The incident has renewed concerns over tanker-related accidents in the state, particularly following the October 2024 explosion in Majia, Taura Local Government Area, which killed more than 170 people after residents gathered to scoop fuel from a fallen tanker.

However, emergency responders moved quickly to secure the latest accident scene and prevent people from approaching the vehicle.

Personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Federal Fire Service were deployed to the area while fuel was still leaking from the tanker.

The FRSC Public Relations Officer in Jigawa State, Yahaya Ibrahim, said on Sunday that officers had cordoned off the area to keep residents away and prevent a possible fire.

He attributed the accident to driver fatigue, saying the tanker driver had fallen asleep while driving.

The driver sustained injuries and was taken to Kiyawa General Hospital, where he is receiving treatment.

“The driver sustained injuries as a result of the accident,” he said. 

The Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the state, Badaruddeen Tijjani, also confirmed the incident, saying personnel were dispatched after receiving reports of the accident.

He said the officers secured the area and managed the crowd to prevent people from approaching the tanker.