A petrol-laden tanker skidded off the Bida-Agaei Road and exploded on Tuesday afternoon, causing chaos on one of Niger’s busiest expressways.
Hajiya Aishatu Sa’adu, Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Niger Command, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna.
Sa’adu said the casualty figure could not be determined at the time of reporting, as rescue operations were still ongoing at the scene.
“The response teams are actively conducting rescue operations, but the full extent of injuries and fatalities is yet to be confirmed,” she explained.
The explosion caused significant traffic gridlock, affecting hundreds of motorists and commuters traveling along the expressway.
Authorities attributed the traffic congestion partly to the poor condition of the road, which made it difficult for emergency vehicles to reach the scene promptly.
“The deplorable state of this road has a direct impact on response times during emergencies like this,” Sa’adu noted, highlighting the urgent need for road repairs.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing thick plumes of smoke and flames engulfing the tanker immediately after it fell off the road, prompting panic among nearby motorists.
Several vehicles were reportedly stranded as traffic came to a standstill, with drivers forced to wait for hours until the area was partially cleared.
The FRSC urged motorists to remain calm and avoid the area while emergency teams manage the situation and prevent further accidents.
No official statement has been released yet regarding the cause of the tanker’s skid, though investigators are expected to assess the accident and determine contributing factors.
Road users in Niger have long expressed concerns about the state of highways, emphasizing that poor road infrastructure increases the likelihood of accidents and hampers rescue efforts.
Authorities are calling for immediate attention to road maintenance and stricter regulations for transporting hazardous materials, particularly petrol, to prevent similar disasters in the future.
As the rescue operation continues, local hospitals have reportedly been alerted to receive possible casualties, while traffic management units coordinate to redirect vehicles.
The FRSC reiterated the importance of safety awareness among drivers, especially on highways prone to accidents due to challenging road conditions.
Motorists are advised to exercise extreme caution, adhere to speed limits, and follow official guidance from traffic authorities until normalcy is restored on the expressway.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
