The recurring menace of fuel scooping from fallen tankers has once again instigated national concern, following a recent diesel tanker accident at the Tincan–Liverpool Bridge axis of Apapa, Lagos.
The incident, which occurred yesterday, Monday January 19, reignited public outrage after videos surfaced online showing individuals approaching the scene with basins and containers to scoop spilled fuel, despite visible safety risks and the presence of emergency responders.
In response to the growing frequency of such dangerous acts, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has formally called on the National Assembly to criminalise fuel scooping, urging lawmakers to move beyond public warnings and introduce strict legal consequences for offenders.
The call was made by the Director-General of the NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, in a statement shared via the agency’s official X (formerly Twitter) account.
According to him, recent tanker accidents, including the Apapa incident, highlight a disturbing pattern of reckless behaviour that continues to endanger lives, public infrastructure, and emergency personnel.
Issa-Onilu condemned fuel scooping in strong terms, describing it as a deliberate and dangerous act rather than a consequence of poverty or desperation.
“This is not poverty,” he said. “Poverty does not erase judgement or the instinct for self-preservation. What we are witnessing is a conscious, reckless, and criminal disregard for human life and public safety.”
On Monday morning, a diesel-laden tanker overturned near Mile 2, spilling fuel across the Tincan–Liverpool Bridge area. The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) swiftly deployed personnel to cordon off the site and manage the spill to prevent explosions or fire outbreaks.
However, despite repeated warnings from authorities, some residents reportedly attempted to scoop the spilled diesel, putting themselves and others at risk. LASEMA later issued a stern warning, cautioning the public against approaching the scene or igniting flames near the spill. Many Nigerians after seeing the videos have called for the arrest and prosecution of fuel scoopers, arguing that repeated warnings have failed to deter the practice.
According to the NOA Director-General, the agency has conducted extensive nationwide sensitization campaigns over the years to educate citizens on the dangers of fuel scooping. Despite these efforts, the behaviour persists, often with fatal consequences.
Issa-Onilu stressed that public enlightenment must now be reinforced with enforcement, noting that the absence of clear legal penalties has allowed the practice to continue unchecked.
He therefore urged the National Assembly to enact specific legislation that would categorise fuel scooping as a criminal offence, complete with clear and deterrent punishments.
Such a law, he argued, would empower law enforcement agencies to act decisively at accident scenes and send a strong message that fuel scooping is not merely unsafe, but illegal.
Fuel tanker accidents across Nigeria have repeatedly resulted in explosions, mass casualties, and destruction of property. These tragedies often worsened by the presence of people attempting to scoop fuel. Safety experts have long warned that spilled petroleum products can ignite from minor sparks, vehicle heat, or mobile phone usage.
The Apapa incident, while successfully contained, serves as a reminder of how quickly such situations can escalate into national disasters.
NOA’s push for legislative action appears to align with the sentiments of many Nigerians who believe that stronger laws, not just warnings, are necessary to end the deadly trend.
For now, authorities continue to urge citizens to prioritise safety and allow trained professionals to handle tanker spill emergencies.
