Two petrol tankers explode at Adamawa filling station

The scene of tanker explosion in Adamawa State on February 4, 2025.
Fire consumed two petrol-laden tankers at an MRS filling station along Numan Road, near the Jezco filling station and Yola International Airport, on Tuesday.

The blaze caused significant disruption as the road leading into Yola, the state capital, was blocked by curious onlookers, who disregarded the dangers while attempting to witness the unfolding inferno.

As of the latest update, two tankers were fully engulfed by flames, and emergency services had arrived on the scene. Firefighters began efforts to contain the fire, but reports indicated that their water supply had quickly run out. Security personnel were also on-site to secure the area and prevent further risks.

The explosion of fuel tankers comes at a time when petrol has become a scarce and highly sought-after commodity in Nigeria, which is grappling with its worst economic crisis in decades. This follows a series of tragic incidents involving tanker explosions across the country.

In January 2025, a petrol tanker explosion along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway claimed the lives of at least 11 people after the vehicle reportedly suffered brake failure, tumbled, and erupted in flames. In a similar incident on January 18, 2025, at least 86 people were killed and 55 others injured in Niger State while attempting to scoop fuel from a fallen tanker.

Earlier that same month, another fuel tanker fire in the Agbor area of Delta State claimed the lives of five individuals. In October 2024, a devastating tanker explosion in Jigawa State took the lives of over 170 people and left scores more injured. Additionally, in September 2024, a tragic collision between a fuel tanker and a truck in northwestern Niger State killed at least 59 people.

These incidents highlight the growing risks associated with the transportation of petrol in Nigeria amid its ongoing fuel crisis.