Fear in Jigawa as fallen tanker spills fuel along busy Maiduguri road

A fuel tanker crashed and spilled petrol along the bustling Maiduguri Road near Kiyawa roundabout in Jigawa State's Kiyawa Local Government Area on Saturday night, sparking fear and tension among residents. The incident unfolded around 9:30 pm and drew a large crowd of residents and passersby, who were seen attempting to collect the spilled fuel with buckets and containers, fearing the possibility of a fire outbreak.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Jigawa State, led by Public Relations Officer Yahaya Ibrahim, stated that the tanker driver was found to be fatigued, having apparently fallen asleep while driving. Ibrahim confirmed that the driver sustained injuries and was receiving medical care at Kiyawa General Hospital. The FRSC took immediate action to secure the area and prevent residents from approaching the fallen tanker.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Jigawa State Command, represented by Public Relations Officer Badaruddeen Tijjani, also confirmed the incident. Tijjani reported that the tanker had fallen along Maiduguri Road near Kiyawa roundabout at around 9:30 pm on Saturday and began leaking fuel. He emphasized the necessity of cordoning off the area and controlling the crowd to avert a potential fire outbreak.

Tijjani's comments serve as a grim reminder of the deadly tanker explosion in Majia, Taura Local Government Area in October 2024, which claimed more than 170 lives. Residents had rushed to collect fuel from a fallen tanker, leading to the catastrophic incident.