At least 18 dead after tanker carrying gasoline explodes in southern Nigeria

ABC News - Jan 26th, 2025
Open on ABC News

A tragic gasoline tanker explosion in southern Nigeria has left at least 18 people dead and 10 others injured. The accident occurred on the Enugu-Onitsha expressway in Enugu state when the tanker, carrying gasoline, lost control and collided with 17 vehicles, subsequently bursting into flames. Emergency responders from Nigeria's Federal Road Safety Corps reported that the deceased were 'burnt beyond recognition,' while three individuals were rescued unscathed. The incident highlights the frequent occurrence of fatal truck accidents in Nigeria, exacerbated by the absence of an efficient railway system for cargo transport.

The explosion reflects broader issues related to fuel transport and safety in Nigeria, particularly following the removal of gasoline subsidies by President Bola Tinubu's government. This policy change, aimed at reallocating resources for developmental purposes, has led to increased gasoline prices and economic hardship, prompting risky behaviors like scooping gasoline from overturned tankers. Despite nationwide efforts to curb such practices, the explosion underscores the urgent need for improved safety measures and transportation infrastructure to prevent further loss of life and ensure public safety.

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RATING

6.4
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and generally accurate account of a tragic gasoline tanker explosion in Nigeria, highlighting important public safety and economic issues. It effectively communicates the main facts and context, but could benefit from additional verification and diverse perspectives to enhance its accuracy and balance.

While the article is engaging and addresses topics of public interest, it lacks depth in exploring the broader implications of the incident and the controversies surrounding government policies. The inclusion of more varied sources and viewpoints would provide a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.

Overall, the article serves as a useful introduction to the incident and related issues, but could be improved by incorporating additional information and analysis to fully inform and engage readers.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The article accurately reports on a tragic incident involving a gasoline tanker explosion in Nigeria, claiming 18 lives and injuring 10 others. The details about the location, the Enugu-Onitsha expressway, and the sequence of events are consistent with the information typically reported in such incidents. However, the exact number of vehicles involved and the casualty figures should be verified with multiple sources to ensure precision.

The article also mentions a previous incident in Suleja where 98 people died, which aligns with reports of similar accidents in Nigeria. The context provided about the lack of an efficient railway system and the resulting frequent accidents is generally accurate but would benefit from statistical support or expert commentary to bolster its claims. The quotes attributed to officials like Olusegun Ogungbemide and Lanre Issa-Onilu should be cross-checked for authenticity and context to ensure they are not misrepresented.

Overall, while the article is generally accurate, it would benefit from further verification of specific details and quotes to enhance its reliability. The economic context regarding gasoline prices and subsidy removal is a complex issue that should be supported by more detailed data or expert analysis.

6
Balance

The article presents a largely one-sided view focused on the immediate aftermath of the tanker explosion and the government's response. It does not provide perspectives from victims’ families, local residents, or independent experts, which could offer a more comprehensive understanding of the incident and its broader implications.

While it mentions the government's campaign against gasoline scooping and the economic impact of subsidy removal, it lacks a balanced discussion of the challenges and criticisms faced by these policies. Including viewpoints from those affected by the subsidy removal or experts on transportation safety could provide a more nuanced perspective.

The article could improve its balance by incorporating diverse voices and addressing potential criticisms of governmental policies. This would help readers understand the complexities of the situation and the various factors at play.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and concise, providing a straightforward account of the tanker explosion and its aftermath. The language is accessible, and the structure allows for easy comprehension of the key facts and context.

The use of direct quotes from officials adds clarity to the reported information, although the article could benefit from additional context around these statements to enhance understanding. The economic discussion regarding gasoline prices and subsidy removal is somewhat complex but is presented in a manner that is understandable to a general audience.

Overall, the article is well-written and effectively communicates the main points, though it could improve by providing more detailed explanations of complex issues and ensuring all quotes are contextualized.

5
Source quality

The article relies on statements from Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps and named officials, which lends some credibility to the reported facts. However, it lacks a diversity of sources, such as eyewitness accounts, independent experts, or local media reports, which could provide additional context and verification.

The reliance on official sources without corroboration from independent or third-party sources may limit the depth of the reporting. Including a broader range of sources would enhance the article's reliability and provide a more comprehensive view of the situation.

To improve source quality, the article should incorporate information from varied and authoritative sources, ensuring a well-rounded and thoroughly verified report.

6
Transparency

The article provides a clear account of the incident and the government's response, but it lacks transparency regarding the methodology used to gather information. It does not disclose how the quotes were obtained or whether any efforts were made to corroborate the official statements with independent sources.

There is also no mention of potential conflicts of interest or biases in the reporting, which is crucial for maintaining transparency. The article could benefit from more explicit disclosure of how information was verified and any limitations encountered during reporting.

Improving transparency would involve detailing the sources of information, the methods used to verify facts, and any potential biases that may have influenced the reporting.

Sources

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Suleja_fuel_tanker_explosion
  2. https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/death-toll-nigeria-gas-tanker-explosion-rises-98-117906069
  3. https://saharareporters.com/2025/01/25/official-death-toll-enugu-tanker-explosion-stands-11-eyewitnesses-claim-around-70-dead
  4. https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/nigerian-gasoline-tanker-explosion-death-toll-rises-86-117862467
  5. https://businessday.ng/news/article/tanker-explosion-in-enugu-kills-18-atiku-and-mbah-express-grief/