Niger State Tanker Explosion Death Toll Hits 45
Death Toll in Niger Tanker Explosion Rises to 45 — NEMA
Updated October 24, 2025
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed that the death toll from the petrol tanker explosion that occurred at Essa community along the Bida–Badeggi–Agaie road in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State has risen to 45.
According to NEMA, the fatalities include 12 males, 27 females, and six children, while 63 others sustained varying degrees of burns.
The Head of Operations, NEMA Minna Office, Hussaini Isah, who oversees Niger and Kwara States, disclosed this in a situation update issued to Channels Television on Friday.
He explained that the explosion was triggered by a bad section of the road, which caused the tanker to crash, adding that Essa was the worst-hit community.
“All the victims were casualties of fuel scooping following the crash,” Isah said.
He noted that many victims initially received treatment at Essa Primary Health Centre and Idris Private Hospital before being transferred to Umaru Sanda General Hospital and the Federal Medical Centre in Bida.
Fourteen critically injured patients were later referred to the Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital in Abuja for further treatment.
Emergency responders, including the Police, DSS, NSCDC, NSEMA, FRSC, vigilantes, and community volunteers, were all on the ground to support rescue operations.
The Niger State Government, according to Isah, has provided medications to affected hospitals, while some victims have voluntarily discharged themselves after initial treatment. Twelve additional victims who were previously treated at home have now been taken to hospitals for proper medical care.
However, Isah lamented that traffic congestion, poor road conditions, and weak network connectivity hampered timely rescue and coordination efforts.
NEMA and NSEMA teams have since visited the affected hospitals to verify patient numbers and assess their conditions. The agency expressed optimism that food items and relief materials would soon be distributed to the victims’ families.