Residents of Lagos on Wednesday linked economic hardship and hunger to the tragic deaths of individuals who were collecting fuel from an overturned tanker before it exploded.
The explosion in Nigeria claimed over 140 lives, including children, and left many injured. The incident occurred in Majiya, Jigawa State, around midnight when the driver lost control of the gasoline tanker on a highway, leading to a massive fire as people rushed to scoop up the spilling fuel, according to emergency services.
“I blame both the people and the government,” said civil servant Emenike Okpaga. “If the government prioritized citizens’ welfare, incidents like this wouldn’t happen.”
Software engineer Emmanuel Isaac added, “No one in their right mind would scoop fuel unless driven by hunger. When people see a chance to make money from it, they take it.”
In Majiya, residents mourned as they held a mass burial for the victims, most of whom were unrecognizable, according to emergency responders.
Fatal tanker accidents are frequent in Nigeria, where traffic regulations are often ignored and efficient cargo transport systems are lacking. The rising fuel prices, which have tripled since the end of government subsidies last year, have led many to salvage fuel from such accidents.