The residents of Jalingo,Taraba State were seen dashing out from different nooks and crannies of an accident scene where fuel was spilling out from a tanker. Subsequently, the residents began to scoop fuel from the accident scene.This was after four days when more than 80 people died in a scene where Diko residents in Niger State where scooping fuel from a falling tank.
According to eye witnesses, the residents were scooping fuel from the spilling truck when security operatives arrived at the scene.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the police pushed them out from the scene in Jalingo, where the petrol Tanker crashed and spilled its content.
Spokesperson of the NSCDC, Taraba State Command, Mr. Illia Samuel confirmed the incident, however, she said that the driver of the tanker sustained injury and taken to the hospital for treatment.
Samuel said the Command urgently drafted its men to the accident scene to avert explosion and casualties.
“Immediately we got information about the accident, the command drafted our men to the scene to avert any occurrences that could lead to casualties. We are going to ensure that the area is safe, both for residents and travelers,” he said.
Police Public Relations Officer of Taraba State Command, SP Abdullahi Usman, also confirmed the incident.
The development came three days after the deadly tanker explosion that killed about 98 people around Dikko Junction, Gurara LGA, Niger State.
FCNN reports that the death toll from the deadly explosion on Saturday is still rising.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu while reacting to the situation, compelled the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to start creating awareness against scooping during such a situation.
The Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) said it was worried by the casualty figures and magnitude of burns.
