The National Orientation Agency (NOA), has strongly condemned the dangerous, irresponsible, and condemnable act of fuel scooping from a fallen tanker, as witnessed yesterday at the Liverpool Bridge, Apapa area of Lagos State.
In view of the grave danger posed by this practice, NOA called on the National Assembly to urgently initiate and enact comprehensive legislation that will expressly criminalise the act of fuel scooping from fallen tankers and prescribe firm, clear, and deterrent penalties for perpetrators.
The Director General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu who made this position in a statement by the Director, Communication and Media, Mr Bala Musa, pointed out that the practice is completely unacceptable in a modern society and poses an extreme and avoidable threat to human life, public safety, and national infrastructure.
According to the NOA boss, the risks involved are not limited to those directly engaged in the act; the collateral danger to motorists, nearby communities, emergency responders, and critical assets is enormous and far outweighs any perceived or imagined benefit.
Mallam Issa-Onilu noted that the National Orientation Agency has, over the years, consistently deployed nationwide sensitisation and public enlightenment campaigns to conscientise Nigerians on the dangers inherent in fuel scooping and similar high-risk behaviours.
He regretted that despite sustained advocacy, repeated warnings, and value-reorientation efforts, some individuals have remained adamant and have continued to engage in this undesirable and life-threatening conduct.
The NOA DG recalled that Nigeria has, in the past, recorded several tragic incidents across different parts of the country where fuel tanker accidents led to explosions and infernos after people attempted to scoop fuel, resulting in the loss of hundreds of lives.
He pointed out that sustained public enlightenment must now be complemented by strong legal and enforcement frameworks to decisively end this deadly behaviour.
Mallam Issa-Onilu emphasised that this trend must not be allowed to continue, adding that Nigerians must collectively reject actions that repeatedly lead to mass casualties, national trauma, and avoidable loss of lives. He reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to intensifying its value-reorientation and safety advocacy across the country.
“Human life is sacred and priceless. No situation, no (excuse, and no momentary gain should justify conduct that places lives in imminent danger,” the Director General concluded.
Reporting By Abiola PETERS