A video showing residents scooping fuel from an overturned tanker in Cross River State has surfaced on social media, sparking concern.
News About Nigeria reports that the tanker accident occurred on Wednesday evening in Small Iwuru, Akamkpa Local Government Area, according to Agba Jalingo, the publisher of CrossRiverWatch.
Jalingo shared a 42-second video clip on Facebook, showing locals hurriedly collecting fuel using kegs and buckets.
The incident raised alarms due to the potential danger, especially following a similar disaster just a week prior in Jigawa State, where over 180 people died in a tanker explosion while attempting to scoop fuel.
The video also showed a Hilux vehicle marked “Dragon Squad,” the codename for Cross River’s anti-cultism and kidnapping police unit, parked near the scene.
It remains unclear whether the police officers attempted to intervene. Jalingo expressed shock that the officers did not stop the residents from endangering their lives.
This marks yet another tanker-related incident in October, with other accidents occurring in Jigawa and along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, both resulting in deadly explosions.
Recall that a tanker explosion in Majiya, Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State, claimed the lives of around 105 people.
The tragic incident occurred late Tuesday night when a fuel tanker lost control near Khadjia University.
According to Shiisu Adam, spokesperson for the Jigawa State Police Command, the explosion left 55 others injured, many of whom are now hospitalised.
The tanker exploded at approximately 11:45 pm, and the resulting fire burnt until the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Some victims were burnt beyond recognition. The driver of the tanker was reportedly en route to Nguru, Yobe State, when he lost control, leading to the disaster.
In a separate incident, another tanker overturned along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway after the driver allegedly fell asleep, though fatalities from that crash are yet to be confirmed.
