At least five people lost their lives on Sunday afternoon in a tragic tanker explosion in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State. The incident occurred when a petrol-laden tanker lost control and ignited a massive fire.

Videos circulating online showed residents fleeing for safety as the fire consumed the tanker and nearby buildings. Emergency responders are expected to initiate rescue and recovery efforts at the site.

This tragedy echoes a similar incident in October 2024, when over 170 people died in a fuel tanker explosion in Jigawa State.

Tanker explosions in Nigeria often underscore the country's ongoing fuel challenges. With petrol prices skyrocketing more than fivefold since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, access to gasoline has become increasingly difficult for many.

Nigeria is currently grappling with its worst economic crisis in decades, with inflation exceeding 30% and peaking at over 34% in June 2024. Though it dropped to 32.7% in September, the economic strain remains severe. A World Bank report indicates that 56% of Nigerians now live below the poverty line, a significant increase from 40% in 2018.

In another tragic incident, at least 59 people died in September when a fuel tanker collided with a truck carrying passengers and cattle in Niger State. Such accidents highlight the critical need for enhanced safety measures and infrastructure improvements in Nigeria.