An overturned fuel tanker exploded in Majiya, Jigawa State, situated in northern Nigeria, resulting in the deaths of at least 153 individuals and injuring over 100 on the night of October 15, 2024. The tanker tipped over on a major highway, causing locals to rush to the scene to gather the spilling gasoline that was flowing into a nearby drainage ditch.
Police spokesperson for Jigawa State, Shiisu Lawan Adam, discussed the incident, stating: “The driver lost control, and the tanker somersaulted and spilled fuel into a drainage ditch. As a result, residents rushed to scoop the fuel when the explosion happened.” The driver had reportedly swerved to avoid a collision with another truck, causing the tanker to flip over.
In response to the high number of fatalities, mass burials took place on October 16 and 17. The Nigerian medical association called upon doctors to provide assistance at nearby hospitals, which were dealing with a surge of severely burned patients. The majority of the injured were transported to local healthcare facilities in Ringim and Hadejia for emergency treatment.
A local farmer, Mustapha Majiya, was deeply affected by the incident, losing nearly 50 members of his extended family in the explosion. His nephews, Nuradeen Rabiu, 16, and Dini Babalo, 17, who had been trying to prevent people from approaching the overturned tanker and gathering fuel, were among the deceased. Majiya, a 50-year-old resident of Majia town, shared his story with the BBC.
This disaster is not unique to Nigeria, a country with a high rate of fuel tanker accidents. Due to the lack of a sufficient rail system, fuel, among other cargo, is frequently transported by road. In 2020 alone, Nigeria reported more than 1,500 fuel tanker accidents, resulting in 535 deaths and 1,142 injuries. Poor road conditions, reckless driving, and inadequate vehicle maintenance often contribute to these accidents. In recent months, there have been multiple fatal incidents, including one in Niger State that resulted in at least 48 deaths in September.
The economic crisis in Nigeria is worsening the situation, as many resort to gathering spilled fuel despite the inherent risks. Since the discontinuation of fuel subsidies by the government last year, gas prices have tripled, making gasoline both a scarce and precious commodity. With high poverty rates across the country, desperation and risky behavior have increased. Many of the victims in the Majiya incident were trying to gather the leaked fuel for personal use or resale to ease their financial struggles.
Expressing his condolences for the victims, Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima acknowledged the catastrophic impact of the disaster on families in a statement on Wednesday. He affirmed that the incident has affected everyone deeply and assured that the government is committed to supporting the people of Jigawa by providing the necessary resources to aid the injured and assist the families affected by the disaster.
