ABUJA, Nigeria – According to the national emergency agency, the number of fatalities from a gasoline tanker explosion in north-central Nigeria has now reached 98. This incident, which occurred early on Saturday, took place near Suleja in Niger State when individuals attempted to transfer gasoline from a crashed tanker into another truck, using a generator in the process.

The act of transferring fuel ignited the explosion, which claimed the lives of both those involved in the transfer and innocent bystanders nearby. Hussaini Isah, the head of operations for Niger State at the National Emergency Management Agency, stated that there is a chance the death toll may increase further.

“The count of casualties keeps fluctuating,” he commented. On Sunday, he noted that the high number of casualties could be attributed to a crowd that had gathered at the scene, consisting of people taking photos, passersby, and others trying to collect gasoline from the area.

In Nigeria, which is Africa’s most populous nation, the cost of gasoline has surged significantly after the government, under President Bola Tinubu, lifted subsidies on the product over a year ago. This measure aimed to redirect financial resources to more developmental initiatives but has inadvertently resulted in escalated hardship for many citizens.

It is not uncommon for individuals in Nigeria to attempt to scoop gasoline from overturned tankers, as many perceive this as an opportunity to obtain free fuel, which they may either utilize or sell for a profit. The tragic explosion highlights the dangers associated with these risky actions and the broader issues concerning fuel management in the country.