“Panic in Jalingo as Youths Risk Lives to Scoop Fuel from Overturned Tanker”
Residents of Jalingo, Taraba State, found themselves in a life-threatening situation on Wednesday after a tanker carrying petroleum products overturned near the Mile 6 market along the Jalingo-Numan road. The incident, which took place around 11:45 a.m., caused widespread panic, especially among traders at the market who hastily closed their shops and fled the area, fearing a potential explosion.
However, despite the danger, a large group of youths quickly gathered at the scene with containers, buckets, and drums to collect the leaking fuel. Many of them positioned large drums just meters from the overturned tanker, disregarding the risks of fire or explosion.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) arrived shortly after and managed to disperse the crowd, preventing further chaos. By the time the security personnel intervened, however, many of the youths had already fled the scene with significant amounts of fuel.
The NSCDC’s spokesperson in Taraba State, Mr. Illia Samuel, confirmed the incident and emphasized that the command acted promptly to avert any potential casualties. “Upon receiving information about the accident, we immediately deployed our officers to the site to prevent any occurrence that could lead to disaster,” Samuel said. “We are ensuring the area is safe for both residents and travelers.”
This accident adds to the worrying trend of tanker-related accidents across Nigeria, which have often led to tragic explosions and loss of life. Despite the inherent dangers, such incidents continue to attract desperate individuals seeking to take advantage of the spilled fuel.
