The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has issued a stern warning to Nigerians, describing the act of scooping fuel from fallen tankers as a “suicide mission” that endangers lives and property.
This was made known by Ms. Aisueni Mmandu, Head of NEMA’s Uyo Operations Office, during a public sensitisation campaign held in Ikom, Cross River State, on Monday. The programme aimed to raise awareness on the dangers of tanker-related accidents and fire outbreaks in the region.
Mmandu stressed the grave risk of approaching tankers that spill petroleum products after accidents, citing several tragic incidents across the country.
“When you see a fallen tanker with petroleum product, it is not the time for scooping fuel. A fire can be ignited at any moment, leading to catastrophic consequences. People will be burnt to death,” she warned.
She referenced recent fatal incidents in Niger, Jigawa, Delta, Enugu, Lagos, and Cross River States, which have collectively claimed hundreds of lives and destroyed property worth millions of naira.
According to NEMA, most of these disasters are preventable and result from a combination of reckless driving, poor vehicle maintenance, overloading, bad road infrastructure, and lack of public awareness.
The agency called for greater involvement of government authorities, transport unions, and community leaders in enforcing safety standards and reducing road-related hazards involving articulated vehicles.
Also speaking at the event, Mr. Etetim Otom, Public Enlightenment Officer of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Ikom Unit, commended the initiative and urged tanker drivers to drive responsibly.
“Some drivers act like they own the roads. They need to be reminded that every other road user also deserves to live,” he said.
Mr. Ushie Atusu, Deputy Controller of the Cross River Fire Service in Ikom, described the event as a significant milestone, noting that it was the first time such an inter-agency collaboration had brought fire prevention education to the local level.
“This sensitisation program has exposed the root causes of many past road and fire tragedies. This effort must be sustained,” he emphasized.
In a show of support, Mr. Yahaya Buhari, Chairman of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association, Ikom Branch, pledged that his members would apply the lessons learned.
“We’re grateful for this eye-opening programme. The insights shared today are not just helpful but life-saving. We hope more of this kind of training continues,” he added.
The event, hosted under NEMA’s Uyo zonal office—which covers both Akwa Ibom and Cross River States—marks a renewed effort to tackle the devastating consequences of tanker accidents, as authorities continue to call for greater responsibility, safety enforcement, and community vigilance.
