Fire service, civil defense avert  another fuel tanker explosion in in Niger

By Daniel  Ebi, Minna. 

The prompt intervention from a detachment of fire fighter from the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai and personnel of the Nigeria  civil security and defense Corps averted what could have been another black Sunday when a fuel tanker overturned in the community. 

The fuel tanker travelling from Lagos to Kano overturned early Sunday morning in Takalafiya community, Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State.

The incident, which occurred around 8:00 a.m., prompted the swift intervention of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBUL) Fire Service and personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to avert a potential fire outbreak.

Eyewitnesses reported that members of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Lapai Chapter, also mobilised to the scene to assist in managing the situation. 

Eye witness in Lapai informed our Correspondent that some of the spilled fuel was recovered and reloaded into drums to prevent wastage and environmental hazards.

It will be recalled that, a fuel tanker inferno at Essan community along the busy Bida- Agaie- Lambata federal highway last week led to the death of 42 person and the injury of over 53 while scooping fuel at Katch local government area of Niger State. 

A similar incident at Dikko in Gurara local government area of Niger State in January this year, at claimed almost 100 lives.

Governor Mohammed Umar Bago had over the weekend during a condolence visit to the Essan community warned residents of the State of the danger of scooping fuel from fallen tankers irrespective of their economic realities. 

The Governor later announced a cash donation of one Million Naira to each of the deceased families of the incident and five hundred Naira to the injured.