Tragedy at Essa Village: A Community in Mourning
Mallam Surajo Muhammad Shehu, a resident of Essa village in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State, has shared his heart-wrenching story of loss following a petrol tanker explosion that claimed the lives of eight of his relatives. The incident occurred on Tuesday along the Agaie-Bida road, a route known for its poor condition and frequent accidents.
At least 28 people, predominantly women and children, lost their lives when the tanker exploded while individuals were scooping fuel from it. The accident took place around 2 p.m., after the tanker fell due to the deteriorating state of the road. Among the victims was a nursing mother who died alongside her baby. Eyewitnesses described how she fell face-down into the fire with her child strapped to her back, both screaming until they were consumed by the flames.
Some victims reportedly ran several meters with their clothes on fire before collapsing. Sources indicated that more bodies might still be recovered from nearby bushes. Shehu, visibly emotional, told Daily Trust that the explosion would remain unforgettable for the community. He blamed the tragedy on the failure of residents to heed warnings from the village head, who had repeatedly cautioned against scooping fuel whenever a tanker falls.
Shehu explained, “People in this area have turned fuel scooping into a business and a means of making quick money despite several warnings and sensitisation efforts.” He mentioned that eight members of his immediate and extended family lost their lives, while 10 others are in critical condition at the Federal Medical Centre, Bida. Initially, he did not take his elder brother to the hospital because he thought they could manage his condition, but by Wednesday morning, his condition worsened, and they had to take him there on a motorcycle.
His elder sister, Hawawu Dauda, was also among the victims. She has already been buried, while three of her daughters are currently receiving treatment at the hospital. Shehu noted that women were the major victims because most of the men had gone to the farm, and it was mainly women who came out to scoop the fuel. Only a few men were involved.
Shehu expressed frustration over the community’s persistent disregard for safety warnings. “I can’t understand why people behave this way. Even after this tragedy, some would still scoop fuel again tomorrow,” he said. He highlighted the village head’s efforts to sensitize people, mentioning that on Monday, a tanker carrying engine oil fell, and many rushed out again to scoop it. If that one had exploded, the situation would have been worse than this.
He added, “As I speak, some people have not even finished selling the engine oil they collected on Monday. They often say they can’t let go of free money. It’s not ignorance—it’s poverty.” The village head and even radio stations have repeatedly warned against it, and Shehu pleaded with the government to help fix the road.
Recurring Incidents and Tensions
The death toll from Tuesday’s petrol tanker explosion in Essa village has risen to 28, according to Alhaji Adamu Bagudu, the Village Head of Essa. Bagudu, whose younger brother lost his two wives and two children in the tragedy, confirmed that 24 of the victims were given a mass burial on Tuesday, while four others who died at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Bida, were buried on Wednesday morning.
Bagudu disclosed that over 90% of the victims were women, adding that some travelers were also caught in the inferno. He emphasized that only four of the 28 people buried so far were men, while the remaining 24 were women. He recalled that on September 9, 2024, a similar tanker explosion occurred just a few kilometers from the village, killing 61 people, 54 cows, 17 goats, and burning seven motorcycles.
Bagudu appealed to the federal government to urgently reconstruct the Agaie-Bida road to prevent further loss of lives and property. “This road is beyond repair; it needs total reconstruction. The poor condition of the road has caused many deaths. Pregnant women have died on the way to hospitals in Agaie and Bida because of the bad road,” he said.
He added that the poor state of the road has also crippled economic activities in the area. “We can’t move our farm produce to markets easily, and the worst section of the road is now between Bida and Agaie,” he said.
Lingering Feud Between Residents and Tanker Drivers
Residents reported a lingering feud between tanker drivers and locals over the theft of fuel each time a tanker crashes. According to Adamu Mohammed, a resident of one of the affected villages, men and women involved in scooping fuel have made millions of naira from the illegal trade. One of the victims of Tuesday’s disaster, a woman from Essa village, reportedly sold engine oil worth about N1 million, which she had scooped from a fallen tanker just four days before the explosion that claimed her life.
Residents said black marketers are the main buyers of the stolen fuel, adding that some locals have been living lavishly from the proceeds.
Calls for Action and Support
The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended condolences to Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, the government, and people of Niger State. NSGF Chairman and Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, urged stronger enforcement of safety regulations in the storage and transportation of petroleum products, stressing the need for public awareness on the dangers of scooping fuel and handling combustible materials.
The House of Representatives has called on the federal government to urgently rehabilitate the Bida-Agaie-Lapai-Lambata-Diko Road in Niger. The call followed a motion by Saidu Musa Abdullahi, who represents Bida/Gbako/Katcha Federal Constituency. Abdullahi lamented that the tragedy, which also destroyed vehicles, livestock, and goods worth millions of naira, was one of several fatal accidents that have occurred along the route in recent years due to its deplorable condition.
Adopting the motion, the House urged the Federal Ministry of Works and FERMA to mobilize contractors for the immediate rehabilitation and expansion of the road, particularly the Bida-Agaie section. Lawmakers also directed the FRSC to enforce strict safety compliance for tankers and heavy-duty vehicles, and called on NEMA to provide relief materials and medical support to victims.
