A fire broke out on Tuesday at an MRS filling station along the Numan Road, opposite the Jezco filling station near Yola International Airport, consuming two petrol-laden tankers.
The fire caused significant disruption, as the road leading into Yola, the state capital, was blocked by curious onlookers who rushed to witness the inferno, despite the obvious dangers.
As of the latest update, both tankers had been completely consumed by the flames. Fire service teams arrived at the scene and began efforts to control the blaze, but their progress was hindered by a shortage of water. Security personnel were also deployed to secure the area and prevent further escalation.
This incident comes amid a growing number of tanker explosions across Nigeria, a country currently grappling with an economic crisis. Just a month earlier, in January 2025, at least 11 people lost their lives in a similar explosion along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway when a petrol-laden tanker suffered brake failure.
Earlier incidents in January also saw tanker explosions in Niger State and Delta State, claiming multiple lives. Notably, a tragic tanker explosion in Jigawa State in October 2024 killed more than 170 people, highlighting the ongoing dangers associated with fuel transport in the country.
