Fuel tanker explodes, destroys houses in Niger

Many houses and property worth millions of naira have been destroyed following the explosion of a petrol-laden tanker at a filling station in Tungan-Bunu, Rijau LGA of Niger State. Sources told Daily Trust that the tanker had just arrived to offload fuel at the station when it suddenly caught fire on Monday evening, with the […]

Many houses and property worth millions of naira have been destroyed following the explosion of a petrol-laden tanker at a filling station in Tungan-Bunu, Rijau LGA of Niger State.

Sources told Daily Trust that the tanker had just arrived to offload fuel at the station when it suddenly caught fire on Monday evening, with the flames spreading to nearby houses.

Although no lives were lost, the incident caused panic as many residents fled their homes while the tanker continued to burn.

Another fuel-laden tanker overturned on the Lapai–Agaie Road, blocking the busy route and causing heavy gridlock.

Residents told Daily Trust that the tanker, which departed Lagos and was headed to Gombe with Premium Motor Spirit, overturned around 10:00 a.m. on Monday when its compartment detached from the head, crossing the road and triggering fear among locals.

A resident, Mallam Mahmud Abubakar, said security operatives immediately mobilised to the scene to secure the area, while firefighters were deployed to prevent a possible fire outbreak.

He added that the incident occurred at the Efu-Nda-Egbo area of Lapai, resulting in significant traffic congestion.

Efforts to reach the Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Abdullahi Baba Arah, were unsuccessful as calls to his phone went unanswered.