The Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, has strongly condemned the dangerous act of scooping fuel from a fallen tanker, describing it as reckless, criminal, and a grave threat to public safety.
Issa-Onilu’s condemnation followed an incident on Monday, January 20, at the Liverpool Bridge in the Apapa area of Lagos State, where individuals were seen scooping fuel from an overturned tanker. He described the practice as completely unacceptable in a modern society, warning that it poses extreme and avoidable risks to human life, national infrastructure, nearby communities, motorists, and emergency responders.
According to the NOA boss, the dangers associated with fuel scooping far outweigh any perceived benefit, stressing that the act often leads to devastating explosions and infernos. He recalled several tragic incidents across the country in which tanker accidents escalated into mass casualties after people attempted to scoop fuel, resulting in the loss of hundreds of lives.
Issa-Onilu noted that the agency has, over the years, conducted extensive nationwide sensitisation and public enlightenment campaigns to educate Nigerians on the risks of fuel scooping and similar high-risk behaviours. However, he expressed concern that despite sustained advocacy and repeated warnings, some individuals continue to engage in the life-threatening practice.
Rejecting poverty as a justification, the Director General said the behaviour reflects a conscious and reckless disregard for human life and public safety. “This is not poverty. Poverty does not take away people’s sense of judgement or instinct for self-preservation. What we are witnessing is a deliberate and dangerous choice,” he stated.
In response to the recurring incidents, Issa-Onilu called on the National Assembly to urgently initiate and pass comprehensive legislation that will criminalise fuel scooping from fallen tankers. He urged lawmakers to prescribe clear and deterrent penalties, arguing that public enlightenment alone is no longer sufficient to curb the menace.
He emphasised that Nigeria must complement awareness campaigns with strong legal and enforcement frameworks to decisively end the practice, warning that continued tolerance would only lead to more avoidable tragedies and national trauma.
Reaffirming the NOA’s commitment to intensified value reorientation and safety advocacy, Issa-Onilu urged Nigerians to collectively reject actions that endanger lives. “Human life is sacred and priceless. No excuse or momentary gain should justify conduct that places lives in imminent danger,” he said.
The statement was signed by Bala Musa, Director of Communication and Media at the National Orientation Agency.
Melissa Enoch
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