The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed that 35 people lost their lives on Tuesday in a devastating fuel tanker explosion along the Bida–Lapai route, near Badegi in Niger State.

According to an official statement, the victims were burnt beyond recognition while attempting to scoop petrol from a tanker that had crashed minutes earlier.

The incident occurred at approximately 12:15 p.m. when a tanker transporting Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) reportedly lost control due to the poor condition of the road and overturned. Shortly afterward, local residents rushed to the scene with containers to collect the spilled fuel.

The highly flammable substance ignited soon after, resulting in a massive explosion that killed 35 people and left 46 others with severe burns and injuries.

FRSC rescue teams, led by the Unit Head of Operations, responded promptly and worked alongside the Niger State Fire Service (Bida Division) to extinguish the fire and transport survivors for emergency medical treatment.

Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, calling it a “needless national disaster driven by ignorance, greed, and disregard for safety warnings.”

He warned the public against approaching fallen fuel tankers or tampering with crash scenes involving hazardous materials.

“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 said.

The Corps Marshal also directed all FRSC commands nationwide to intensify grassroots sensitisation campaigns, particularly in rural and high-risk communities, to discourage residents from fuel scooping.

He urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, and local authorities to support nationwide efforts to raise awareness about the deadly consequences of such actions.

The FRSC noted that similar mass-casualty incidents recorded in 2024 were also linked to fuel scooping, even when the initial tanker crashes themselves did not result in fatalities.

Reiterating its commitment to public safety, the Corps called on citizens to immediately report tanker crashes and hazardous spills via the FRSC emergency toll-free line, 122, rather than engaging in dangerous activities that could lead to further loss of life.