FRSC Urges Nigerians to Stop Scooping Fuel from Crashed Tankers Amid Rising Fatalitie

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has issued a stern warning to Nigerians to stop the dangerous practice of scooping fuel from crashed tankers. This caution comes as the nation grapples with an alarming rise in road traffic fatalities, particularly those linked to fuel siphoning from accident scenes.

In a press briefing held in Abuja, FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed shared troubling insights following the conclusion of the recently launched Operation Zero Tolerance. The operation, aimed at curbing road accidents, revealed a concerning trend of fatalities occurring during the removal of petroleum products from fallen tankers, a practice that has led to numerous avoidable deaths in recent months.

Mohammed pointed out that these incidents have been a significant contributor to the spike in road fatalities recorded in 2024. He specifically highlighted cases in Niger and Jigawa states, where scooping fuel from crashed tankers has resulted in multiple deaths.

According to the FRSC boss, several factors are contributing to the high death toll on Nigerian roads, including overcrowded haulage vehicles, fatigued drivers, and the transport of petroleum products in passenger vehicles. These issues, coupled with reckless fuel extraction from crash sites, have led to multiple casualties. Mohammed underscored that accidents involving these elements were responsible for a disproportionate share of road deaths.

The FRSC also outlined five particularly deadly crashes that occurred during the festive period. These include a December 20 crash in Plateau State, which claimed 11 lives; another deadly crash in Abia State on December 22, killing 11; and a December 25 collision on the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway that left eight passengers dead. Other major incidents occurred on December 26 in Kwara State and December 28 in Ondo State, resulting in 30 and 13 fatalities, respectively. Together, these five crashes alone accounted for nearly 40% of the deaths during the period.

Despite these alarming statistics, Mohammed remained firm in the FRSC’s commitment to reducing road fatalities and ensuring public safety. The corps will collaborate with various stakeholders, including the National Orientation Agency and petroleum tanker unions, to raise awareness about the dangers of fuel scooping and seek long-term solutions to tanker-related accidents.

In closing, he urged passengers to avoid traveling in trucks or trailers not meant for passengers, as these vehicles pose serious risks to their safety.

The FRSC’s proactive stance aims to reduce the alarming number of road fatalities and improve safety standards across the country.

Tanker-fire