NOA DG Blames Fuel Tanker Tragedies on Poor Leadership, Eroded National Values
The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lanre Issa-Onilu, has condemned the recurring incidents of Nigerians scooping fuel from fallen tankers, describing the practice as a symptom of poor community leadership and eroded national values.
Issa-Onilu’s comments follow Tuesday’s tanker explosion in Essa, Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State, which killed at least 39 people and left over 60 others injured. The explosion occurred after residents rushed to collect petrol from a fallen tanker.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Thursday, the NOA boss revealed that President Bola Tinubu had earlier directed the agency to embark on a nationwide sensitisation campaign following a similar tragedy in Dikko, also in Niger State, earlier this year.
According to him, the NOA engaged traditional rulers, religious and community leaders, youth and women groups, and security agencies to curb the trend. However, he said findings showed that awareness alone is not enough, as many people ignore the dangers despite being well-informed.
Issa-Onilu blamed the persistence of the deadly practice on a breakdown of values and weak local leadership, citing the Dikko explosion, where residents allegedly chased away security operatives before the tanker ignited.
“The police arrived 20 minutes before the fire and warned people to stay away, but they were chased off. Ten minutes later, the tanker exploded. That was a failure of leadership at the community level,” he said.
He added that the NOA had also held discussions with the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and other stakeholders to strengthen safety regulations and prevent such tragedies.
Issa-Onilu stressed that beyond bad roads or enforcement lapses, the recurring explosions reflected a deeper moral and social problem.
“People know the risks but still go near spilled petrol. This is about values in our society,” he stated.
Despite government campaigns and safety measures, fuel scooping incidents remain common across Nigeria, often resulting in mass casualties. The NOA says it will continue its community-based enlightenment drives to reinforce safety awareness and restore civic responsibility.
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