A devastating fuel tanker explosion in Zaria, Kaduna State, on Monday morning has left several people feared dead and others injured.
The incident occurred at about 8:30 am near Rochas Foundation School along the Kaduna–Kano Expressway bypass, between Kwangila and Dan Magaji.
According to counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama, the crash involved two fuel tankers and two passenger-filled Volkswagen Golf cars.
Witnesses reported that the impact triggered five successive explosions, sending thick plumes of black smoke into the air and causing panic among residents. “All the occupants of the cars died on the spot, except one driver who survived but sustained severe burns,” one eyewitness said.
Emergency services, including the fire department and security agencies, quickly cordoned off the area. Motorists and pedestrians were advised to steer clear of the route while rescue and recovery operations continued.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact number of casualties.
Recurring National Tragedy
The Kaduna incident is the latest in a long line of deadly tanker explosions across Nigeria. Data compiled between January 2009 and October 2024 shows that the country has recorded 169 fuel tanker accidents, resulting in 1,613 deaths. The years 2009 and 2014 had the lowest number of recorded incidents, with three each.
In recent years, such tragedies have occurred with alarming frequency. Earlier in 2025, five people died in a tanker crash in Niger State, while another in Agbor, Delta State, claimed multiple lives.
In October 2024, over 150 people were killed in Jigawa State when a tanker exploded in a crowded location. The deadliest year on record was 2019, with 29 accidents and 203 fatalities.
One of the most catastrophic single incidents occurred in January 2012, when 86 people were killed in a single explosion.
Road safety experts have repeatedly warned that poorly maintained tankers, reckless driving, and inadequate enforcement of transport safety regulations continue to fuel the crisis.
