Truck laden with gasoline explodes in Nigeria and kills at least 31 people, police say

A tanker motortruck laden with gasoline exploded Tuesday (October 21, 2025) successful north-central Nigeria, sidesplitting astatine slightest 31 people, constabulary said.

The detonation occurred successful the Bida country of Niger State aft the motortruck fell and arsenic section residents rushed to the country to scoop up spilling fuel, constabulary spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun said successful a statement. He said 17 radical besides were injured successful the blast and were taken to adjacent hospitals.

In caller months, Niger State has seen a emergence successful accidents involving heavy-duty trucks, which analysts person blamed connected atrocious roads and the lack of a obstruction network. The authorities serves arsenic a large transit hub for commodities moving betwixt bluish and confederate Nigeria.

An probe was underway to place the driver, the proprietor of the tanker and origin of the accident, the constabulary spokesperson said.

Niger State Gov. Umaru Bago said it was disheartening that radical spell to cod gasoline from overturned tankers contempt the danger. “This is yet different painful, difficult, and tragic 1 for the radical and the authorities government,” Bago said.