Residents of Kiyawa Local Government Area in Jigawa State were thrown into panic on Saturday night after a petrol-laden tanker overturned and spilled its contents along Maiduguri Road near Kiyawa Roundabout.
The incident, which occurred at about 9:30 pm, attracted a large crowd of residents and passersby, some of whom reportedly arrived with buckets, containers and other items in an attempt to scoop the spilled fuel, despite the risk of a possible fire outbreak.
The development raised concerns among residents, particularly given the tragic October 2024 tanker explosion in Majia, Taura Local Government Area, which claimed more than 170 lives and left several others injured after people rushed to scoop fuel from a fallen tanker.
However, emergency responders and security operatives swiftly moved to the scene and prevented members of the public from approaching the fallen tanker, helping to avert a potential disaster.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Federal Fire Service and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) reportedly mobilised officers to cordon off the area and control the crowd.
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Speaking on the incident, the FRSC Public Relations Officer in Jigawa State, Yahaya Ibrahim, disclosed that the tanker driver reportedly fell asleep while driving, leading to the accident.
He added that the driver sustained injuries and was receiving medical attention at Kiyawa General Hospital.
Similarly, the NSCDC spokesperson in the state, Badaruddeen Tijjani, confirmed that the tanker fell and began spilling fuel around 9:30 pm, prompting the immediate deployment of officers to secure the area.
Although the situation was brought under control, the incident has once again highlighted the dangers of approaching fallen tankers to scoop fuel.
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