A tragic tanker explosion occurred on March 4, 2025, in Karamin Rami village, Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State, resulting in seven fatalities and one injury. 

Incident Details:

• Date & Time: March 4, 2025, around 6:30 p.m.

• Location: Karamin Rami village, Mashegu LGA, Niger State.

• Cause: A fuel-laden tanker, navigating a poorly maintained road without shoulders, lost balance and overturned, spilling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) into a nearby stream. The spilled fuel ignited upon contact with a water pump used by farmers, leading to a massive explosion. 

   

Casualties:

• Deceased: Seven individuals, identified as Rafiatu Sahabi, Ramlat Shehu, Rashida Abdullahi, Raliya Abdulrahman, Zainab Ahmed, Zuwaira Idrisu, and Maryam A. Nura.

• Injured: One person, Maimuna Isah, who is receiving treatment at Saho Rami Primary Health Care Center. 

   

Damage:

The explosion extended to farmlands through the contaminated stream, destroying rice fields, fruit crops, and vegetation. 

Official Response:

The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) confirmed the incident and attributed it to poor road conditions, which forced the tanker driver to maneuver dangerously, leading to the spill and explosion. 

Context:

This incident is part of a troubling pattern of tanker explosions in Niger State. In January 2025, a similar explosion near Suleja claimed over 100 lives, with many victims attempting to collect spilled fuel. 

These recurring tragedies underscore the urgent need for improved road infrastructure and stricter safety measures for fuel transportation to prevent future occurrences.