The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, has condemned the dangerous practice of scooping fuel from fallen tanker trucks and urged the National Assembly to criminalise the act to prevent further loss of lives.

Issa-Onilu made the call in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, following a recent tanker accident at the Liverpool Bridge area of Apapa, Lagos, where residents were reportedly seen attempting to scoop leaking fuel despite the obvious danger.

He described fuel scooping as a reckless and life-threatening behaviour, noting that similar incidents in the past had resulted in explosions, mass casualties and destruction of property across the country.

According to the NOA boss, the persistent engagement in fuel scooping shows a worrying disregard for safety, stressing that no level of economic hardship justifies endangering human lives.

“Fuel scooping is a deadly act that has claimed countless lives. Nigerians must understand that petroleum products are highly inflammable and any attempt to scoop fuel at accident scenes puts everyone at risk,” he said.

Issa-Onilu lamented that despite repeated public enlightenment campaigns by the NOA and other stakeholders, the practice has continued, especially in urban centres and highway communities.

Call for Legislative Action

The NOA Director-General said public education alone was no longer sufficient to curb the menace, urging lawmakers to introduce clear legal provisions that classify fuel scooping as a criminal offence with strict penalties.

He explained that criminalising the act would serve as a strong deterrent and empower law-enforcement agencies to take immediate action against offenders at accident scenes.

Public Safety Concerns

Fuel scooping has remained a recurring public safety issue in Nigeria, with several tanker explosions in the past leading to multiple deaths, injuries and environmental damage.

Safety experts warn that spilled fuel can ignite from sparks, vehicle engines, mobile phones or nearby fire sources, often resulting in devastating explosions.

NOA’s Position

Issa-Onilu reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to sustained value re-orientation and safety awareness campaigns, calling on Nigerians to prioritise safety and cooperate with emergency responders during accidents.

He urged members of the public to stay away from accident scenes involving petroleum products and promptly alert relevant authorities.