'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - As Nigeria reels from two devastating tanker explosions within a week, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has called for urgent and coordinated actions by stakeholders to address the menace of tanker-related road accidents. The tragedies, which claimed numerous lives and caused significant property damage, have once again highlighted the critical need for shared responsibility in creating a safer road environment.
On Saturday, January 25, 2025, a tanker laden with petroleum products lost control and rammed into several vehicles along the Enugu-Onitsha road, igniting a fire that killed 18 people and destroyed five vehicles. This incident came just days after a similar explosion at Dikko-Maje Junction in Niger State, which claimed over 70 lives and left several injured. These back-to-back accidents follow the October 2024 disaster in Jigawa State, where over 200 lives were lost as people rushed to scoop spilled fuel from a fallen tanker.
The FRSC has consistently warned against the dangers of scooping fuel from fallen tankers, which often ends in catastrophic explosions. Corps Marshal Mohammed pointed out that the fatalities in Jigawa and Niger State could have been minimized had victims not engaged in this dangerous practice. He attributed the recurring issue to ignorance, fatalistic beliefs, and inadequate public awareness campaigns.
“The care-free attitude of people rushing to scoop fuel from fallen tankers must stop forthwith,” Mohammed stated. He emphasized that the ignorance fueling such risky behavior can only be eradicated through coordinated public enlightenment programs involving all relevant stakeholders.
In his response to the Enugu tragedy, Mohammed stressed the need for a collaborative approach among stakeholders in the petroleum transportation sector. He noted that brake failure was identified as the primary cause of the Enugu crash, while the absence of leak-proof safety valves led to the subsequent fuel spillage and explosion.
The Corps Marshal recalled the 2015 National Summit on the Safe Transportation of Petroleum Products, where stakeholders were assigned specific roles to enhance tanker safety. He lamented that many players in the industry have failed to comply with agreed-upon safety protocols, such as the installation and maintenance of leak-proof appliances. “Had these measures been adhered to, the nation could have been spared the recurring tragedies of tanker explosions,” he said.
Mohammed outlined several measures being implemented by the FRSC to prevent future occurrences. These include:
Strict enforcement of the “safe-to-load” policy, ensuring only mechanically sound tankers meet the minimum safety standards for transporting fuel.
Intensified monitoring by FRSC Field Commanders to enforce compliance with safety protocols, including the installation of leak-proof safety valves.
Enhanced collaboration with agencies such as the Fire Service, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and state governments to improve emergency response times at identified black spots.
He also hinted at the possibility of another national summit to reevaluate the 2015 resolutions and reinforce stakeholder commitment to tanker safety.
While commending the FRSC’s efforts, Mohammed emphasized that road safety is a shared responsibility that requires the active participation of all stakeholders, including government agencies, tanker operators, and the public. He urged stakeholders to take ownership of their roles in ensuring the safety of their vehicles and cargo, noting that no single agency or individual can address the issue in isolation.
Some Nigerians have lauded the FRSC for its proactive approach to tackling the menace of tanker explosions. They believe the Corps Marshal’s leadership and commitment offer hope for safer roads. “The only way out of this quagmire is for all stakeholders to join hands with the FRSC and say no to tanker explosions,” one observer remarked.
As the FRSC intensifies its efforts to create a safer road environment, the tragedies in Enugu, Niger, and Jigawa State serve as sobering reminders of the urgency of the situation. The Corps Marshal’s call for joint responsibility underscores the need for collective action to address the challenges posed by tanker explosions and ensure the safety of all road users.
