Just weeks after the tragic tanker explosion in Jigawa State that claimed 180 lives and left many others with severe burns, another alarming incident involving fuel scooping has surfaced in Akampa, located in the Akampa Local Government Area of Cross River State.
A viral video that emerged online this morning shows a crowd of people gathering to scoop fuel from a tanker that had overturned. The tanker, reportedly loaded with petrol, had fallen in the area, drawing local residents to the scene despite the obvious danger of handling the highly flammable substance.
This incident bears a striking resemblance to the deadly tragedy in Majiya town, Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State, where 180 people tragically lost their lives while attempting to collect petrol from a fallen tanker.
The victims in Jigawa were caught in a massive explosion as they scooped fuel, leading to devastating burns and a heartbreaking loss of life.
What has raised concern this time is the complete absence of security personnel or emergency responders at the scene in Akampa.
No official statement has been released by local authorities, and the video shows no sign of any intervention to prevent the crowd from engaging in the highly dangerous activity.
This has prompted public outcry over the apparent lack of preparedness and swift response from relevant agencies to prevent such incidents.
The resurfacing of this reckless behavior just weeks after a major tragedy has left many questioning the efficiency of Nigeria’s emergency response systems.
Critics argue that lessons should have been learned from the Jigawa incident, with better safety measures and public awareness campaigns put in place to prevent another loss of life.
However, the current situation in Cross River highlights the ongoing challenges in addressing such emergencies, especially in rural and remote areas.
The absence of any coordinated effort to secure the scene or warn residents of the dangers only amplifies concerns about the government’s and security agencies’ readiness to protect lives in emergency situations.
Many Nigerians are now calling for stricter measures to prevent fuel scooping, more rapid response from authorities, and heightened public education about the risks involved.
With no official statement released yet, and the video continuing to circulate online, the hope is that action will be taken before this incident leads to another avoidable tragedy.
The memories of the Jigawa explosion remain fresh in the minds of many, and the fear of another disaster looms large as Cross River residents continue to gather around the fallen tanker.
