A tragic accident in the Agaie area of Niger state in Nigeria has resulted in at least 48 deaths after a fuel tanker collided head-on with another truck carrying people and cattle. The collision caused a massive explosion, burning alive at least 50 cattle on board. Search-and-rescue operations are ongoing, with bodies being given a mass burial.
Governor Mohammed Bago has urged residents to remain calm and for road users to abide by traffic regulations to prevent such incidents. Fatal truck accidents are common in Nigeria due to reckless driving, poor road conditions, and poorly maintained vehicles.
In 2020, there were 1,531 petrol tanker crashes in Nigeria, resulting in 535 fatalities and over 1,100 injuries. The recent increase in petrol prices by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd has led to shortages and long queues at gas stations, further exacerbating the situation.
With the lack of an efficient railway system in the country, road transport remains a common and dangerous mode of carrying goods. The government must address the underlying issues contributing to these accidents to prevent further loss of life on Nigerian roads.
Source
Photo credit www.aljazeera.com