The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Malam Shehu Mohammed, has described the Niger tanker explosion that killed 35 people as a needless national tragedy.

Mohammed expressed deep sorrow over the incident in a statement on Tuesday by the FRSC spokesman, Mr Olusegun Ogungbemide, blaming it on ignorance, greed, and disregard for safety warnings.

He said the explosion was a painful reminder that fuel scooping remained one of the most dangerous and recurring causes of mass fatalities in Nigeria.

“This is not just a crash; it is a painful reminder that whenever people ignore safety advice and rush to scoop petrol, they gamble with their lives,” he said.

The Corps Marshal condemned tampering with crashed tankers, warning that such reckless actions were tantamount to inviting death with open arms.

Mohammed recalled that most high-fatality incidents recorded in 2024 were caused by fuel scooping, even when the initial crashes had not claimed lives.

He called for collective responsibility among citizens, community leaders, and local authorities to end the deadly practice of fuel scooping.

He directed all FRSC formations nationwide to intensify community-based sensitisation, especially in rural and high-risk areas, on the dangers of approaching fallen tankers.

Mohammed also urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community heads to collaborate with the Corps in promoting grassroots road safety awareness.

He encouraged members of the public to report any crash involving tankers or hazardous materials through the FRSC toll-free number 122.

“This should be done instead of taking reckless actions that could lead to avoidable deaths.

“The Corps remains committed to ensuring safer roads and preventing tragedies of this nature through sustained enlightenment and collaboration,” Mohammed said.

At least 46 other persons sustained injuries in the explosion, which occurred on Tuesday afternoon. The crash happened at about 12:15 p.m. when a tanker carrying Premium Motor Spirit lost control and overturned along the Bida–Lapai route after Badegi.

Moments after the crash, residents reportedly rushed to the scene to scoop fuel from the fallen tanker.

Tragedy struck when the flammable substance ignited, causing an inferno that killed 35 people and destroyed properties.

The FRSC rescue team, led by the Unit Head of Operations, worked with the Niger State Fire Service, Bida Division, to extinguish the fire and evacuate the injured for treatment.