•NSCDC officials at the averted oil explosion site
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has swiftly responded to a petroleum tanker accident at Guaraka along Kaduna Road, deploying tactical teams to prevent a potential fire disaster and control the situation.
Following the incident, the NSCDC immediately took action to secure the area and prevent fuel scooping, which could have led to a catastrophic explosion, reports Saturday PUNCH.
This was contained in a statement signed by the NSCDC spokesperson, Babawale Afolabi, today.
According to the statement, the emergency response team was led by Deputy Commandant General of Operations, Philip Ayuba, who emphasised the Corps’ commitment to disaster prevention and public safety.
Ayuba noted that the NSCDC acted on intelligence received about the fallen tanker, promptly dispatching teams to manage the situation.
The Corps also collaborated with the Federal Road Safety Commission to regulate traffic flow and ensure crowd control.
Officials confirmed that the situation was brought under control, preventing any further damage or escalation.
“As soon as we got the Intel regarding a Tanker conveying Petroleum Motor Spirit which accidentally fell off the road at Guaraka along Kaduna road, we deployed our tactical Operational and disaster team to surround the area and prevent scooping of fuel by hoodlums. We also collaborated with the Federal Road Safety Commission officers to prevent unnecessary traffic Jam ensuring crowd control and overall security of the environment.
“We want to affirm that the situation is currently under control as our emergency team is fully on the ground, this action has helped to prevent further damages or incidents beyond control, “Ayuba was quoted saying.
The NSCDC, however, reassured the public of adequate security and safety around the terrain noting that a high level of vigilance and preparedness would continue to be maintained by the Corps to ensure the safety and security of lives and property of citizens.
The Frontier reports that a petrol tanker went up in flames on Thursday while offloading fuel at a filling station in Kiyawa Local Government Area of Jigawa State, Northwest Nigeria.
Eyewitnesses said the fire erupted after someone answered a phone call near the tanker, igniting the highly flammable vapors.
Last Saturday, at least 11 persons were killed when a petrol-laden tanker exploded along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.
The tanker was said to have suffered brake failure, tumbled, and had its content spilled, erupting in an explosion.
Before the Enugu incident, no fewer than 86 persons died and 55 others were injured on Saturday, January 18, 2025, whilst scooping fuel from a fallen tanker in Niger State.
Earlier in January 2025, at least five persons were killed when a tanker ladened with petrol lost control and burst into flames in the Agbor area of Delta State.
In October 2024, a fuel tanker explosion in Jigawa State killed more than 170 people, with scores injured.
