The National Emergency Management Agency has deployed an emergency response following a petrol tanker explosion that claimed 39 lives and left more than 60 others with severe burns in the Essan community, Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State.

The tragic incident occurred around 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, along the Bida–Badegi–Agaie road.

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NEMA made this known in a post on its X handle on Wednesday.

“The explosion, which happened around 3:45 p.m. along the Bida–Badegi–Agaie road, claimed 39 lives and left over 60 persons with severe burns, including men, women, and children. The victims were reportedly among those attempting to scoop fuel from a fallen tanker when the explosion occurred,” the agency stated.

Confirming the development, NEMA said its Director-General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, immediately directed the Head of the Minna Operations Office, Mr. Hussaini Isah, to activate the rescue team and deploy to the scene to support the Niger State Emergency Management Agency and other responders in rescue operations.
The agency said a multi-stakeholder rescue team has commenced a detailed assessment of the damage in the affected community.
“NEMA’s team, working alongside NSEMA, the Police, NSCDC, FRSC, DSS, local vigilantes, and community volunteers, successfully evacuated the injured victims to nearby health facilities, including the Essan Primary Health Centre, Idris Private Hospital, and the Federal Medical Centre, Bida, for emergency treatment.

“The multi-stakeholder rescue team has commenced detailed assessment of damages in the affected community,” it stated.

While commiserating with families of the victims, Umar warned members of the public to desist from scooping fuel from accident tankers, stressing that such dangerous acts have repeatedly resulted in avoidable deaths and destruction.

She also advised residents and motorists to stay clear of accident scenes and promptly report such incidents to emergency agencies for professional handling.