National Orientation Agency, (NOA) has decried reported deaths arising from scooping of fuel from the fallen tankers by miscreants in some parts of the country.
This is coming on the heels of the reported incidents of tanker explosion and deaths in Diko village, Niger state and some parts of the country.
In a related development, the Oyo State Fire Services confirmed attacks on its men attending to an incident of tanker explosion, by some miscreants at Sabo Market in Orile Igbon, along the Ogbomoso-Ilorin expressway in Oyo State on Thursday.
The tanker, which was carrying 33,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), overturned due to a tyre blowout, causing a fuel spill that led to a fire outbreak.
The General Manager of the Service, Revd Akinyemi Akinyinka said his men suffered a serious attack while they were trying to prevent the miscreants from scooping fuel from the fallen tankers.
According to him, “Our trucks were damaged while our men escaped death by whiskers.”
Meanwhile, this development as recorded in some parts of the country was said to have necessitated the sensitisation programme embarked upon by NOA.
Issa-Onilu had on Thursday paid a working visit to the Akinyele Trailer Park where he enlightened residents of Ibadan against scooping petrol from crashed tankers, warning against the inherent dangers.
He noted that Nigerians have lost their lives in many parts of the country while scooping petrol from tankers that were involved in crashes.
According to him “Many Nigerians have lost their lives to fuel tanker explosions with the latest in Enugu State, claiming the lives of no fewer than 18 persons.
“The Enugu incident followed a similar incident in Niger where more than 80 persons reportedly lost their lives while scooping fuel from crashed tanker.
He said, “Scooping petrol was akin to stealing and was fraught with dangers.”
He advised Nigerians not to act ignorantly, adding that scooping fuel from fallen tankers is like a death wish.
“Tanker crisis has been a serious concern to the federal government, most especially the after-effects of it because it not only affects the immediate environment but the entire ecosystem and it has caused damage to the economy of this country, and we don’t want it to continue.”
“Some states in the country have experienced these crashes and the experience is not palatable, especially for men with young wives and children.
“We want to advise people to stop scooping and stealing what does not belong to them. He said to this end, the agency has produced jingles in 70 languages, while partnering with Channels Television. Issa-Onilu said the campaign is on attitudinal change that hopes Nigerians will live up to the moral standards, expected of them.
“We are telling our people that if it ever happens, please don’t go there. Immediately, you see the product flowing from the tanker, run for your dear life.”
ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
and then