Former Vice President of Nigeria, Abubakar Atiku has blamed ignorance and weaponization of poverty for the petrol tanker explosion that occurred on Tuesday October 21st 2025 in Niger State.
The death toll from the petrol tanker explosion in Essa Community, Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State, has risen to 42, and over 60 injured persons while scooping petroleum product based on the data provided by National Emergency Management Agency.
In a series of tweets via his social media on Thursday night, Atiku, aligned with views expressed by some residents in Niger that the accident was caused by failed portion of the popular Bida–Badeggi–Agaie road, which he alleged has become graveyard.
He noted that “As a critical transport artery, the Bida-Baddegi-Agaie Road is the only route of moving petroleum products from Lagos and other southern areas to Northern Nigeria.
“Thus, the pressure on the road coupled with its poor state has made it a graveyard of sorts. Its rehabilitation and the rehabilitation of other critical road infrastructure projects need to be prioritized.
While calling on authorities concern to fix the deplorable road and others across the nation, Atiku expressed his profound condolences to the families and friends of those who may have lost a loved one, and the government and people of Niger State and prayed Almighty God to comfort the family members of victims.
The former Vice President stated that there is no resource should be spared in providing medical care for the injured.
According to him, “What’s even most disheartening about the Tuesday tragic incident is that the residents in the area where it happened are blaming it on the deplorable state of the Bida–Badeggi–Agaie Road, which caused the tanker to overturn and explode.
“However, the ignorance and continued weaponisation of poverty in our country also ensured that many were killed as they attempted to scoop fuel from the fallen vehicle.
