The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, has strongly condemned the dangerous and irresponsible act of scooping fuel from a fallen tanker, an incident that occurred on Monday, January 20, at Liverpool Bridge in the Apapa area of Lagos State.
In a statement issued by the Director of Communication and Media, Bala Musa, the NOA boss described the act as unacceptable in a modern society, warning that it poses an extreme and avoidable threat to human life, public safety, and national infrastructure. He noted that the danger extends beyond those directly involved to motorists, nearby communities, emergency responders, and critical public assets.
Issa-Onilu said the Agency has, over the years, carried out sustained nationwide sensitisation and public enlightenment campaigns to educate Nigerians on the dangers of fuel scooping and other high risk behaviours.
However, he expressed regret that despite repeated warnings and advocacy, some individuals continue to engage in life threatening practice.
He stressed that such behaviour cannot be justified under any circumstances. “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 conscious, reckless, and criminal disregard for human life and public safety,” he said.
The NOA Director-General recalled several tragic incidents across the country where fuel tanker accidents resulted in explosions and infernos after people attempted to scoop fuel, leading to the loss of hundreds of lives. He described these recurring tragedies as painful but preventable, stressing that they must no longer be tolerated.
Issa-Onilu called on the National Assembly to urgently initiate and pass comprehensive legislation to expressly criminalise fuel scooping from fallen tankers and prescribe clear and deterrent penalties for offenders. He said public enlightenment efforts must be complemented by strong legal and enforcement frameworks to decisively curb the deadly practice.
He urged Nigerians to collectively reject actions that repeatedly result in mass casualties, national trauma, and avoidable loss of lives, while reaffirming the Agency’s commitment to intensifying its value reorientation and safety advocacy nationwide.
“Human life is sacred and priceless. No situation, no excuse, and no momentary gain should justify conduct that places lives in imminent danger,” he said.