By Abdullahi Lukman
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned against the dangerous practice of scooping fuel from accidented tankers, highlighting that it has led to numerous deaths and significant property damage.
Mr. Kadiri Olanrewaju, NEMA’s Head of Operations in Ibadan, issued the warning during a sensitisation campaign held on Wednesday in Akinyele Local Government Area (LGA) of Oyo State.
The event was organized in collaboration with the Oyo State Emergency Management Agency (OYSEMA) and other stakeholders to raise awareness about tanker fire accidents.
Akinyele LGA was chosen for the campaign due to its strategic position as a major transit route for trailers moving between northern and southern Nigeria.
“We began this campaign in Ogun and will soon expand to Osun.
Our goal is to educate local communities along trailer routes to reduce the loss of lives and property from such accidents,” Olanrewaju said.
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He also called on the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and related agencies to enforce laws against underage driving and ensure proper training and certification of drivers involved in fuel transportation.
Mrs. Ojuolape Busari, Administrative Secretary of OYSEMA, noted that the involvement of Community Development Associations (CDAs) helped broaden the campaign’s outreach.
She emphasized that fuel scooping remains widespread partly because offenders rarely face serious penalties.
“Scooping fuel is not only hazardous but also theft. There must be stiffer punishments for those caught,” Busari said.
The Executive Chairman of Akinyele LGA, Hon. Akinwole Akinyele, suggested shifting fuel transportation to railways for long distances while reserving tankers for local deliveries.
He called for a review of fire safety and road regulations to better meet modern challenges.
“The human and economic costs of tanker fires are enormous, including fatalities, property destruction, environmental harm, and damage to public infrastructure,” Akinyele said.
The event included presentations from the FRSC, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Fire Service, traditional leaders, and market representatives, all emphasizing the need for stricter enforcement and greater public awareness to prevent tanker-related disasters.
