The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has attributed the rush to scoop petrol at accident scenes, which often led to tragic incidents, to the rising cost of fuel in the country.
The forum stated this while reacting to the recent tanker explosion in Diko, Niger state, which claimed over 80 lives and left many injured.
In a statement issued by its national publicity secretary, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the ACF expressed grief over the January 18 incident, describing it as a grim reminder of the consequences of poor public awareness and the nation’s inadequate disaster management.
“The desperation to scoop petrol from tankers can be linked to the soaring prices of petroleum products. However, this behavior, which has persisted over the years, also highlights a decline in safety consciousness and communal values,” the statement reads.
The ACF noted that the explosion on the highway caused significant damage to property and disrupted traffic on the busy route and lamented that such avoidable tragedies continue to occur due to a lack of public enlightenment on the dangers of inflammable substances.
The forum extended condolences to the Diko community, the Zazzau–Suleja Emirate, and the Niger State government, praying for divine comfort for the victims’ families and quick recovery for the injured.