Overview of Petroleum Tanker Fire and Explosion Accidents in Nigeria from 2009 to 2024
Authors: Na’inna, A.M.
DOI Info: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14565617
ABSTRACT
Petroleum tankers play a vital role in the transportation of petroleum products in Nigeria. However, frequent falling and subsequent fire and explosion of such tankers remain a real threat in Nigeria till date. Presently, there is no adequate data of the petroleum tanker fire and explosion accidents in Nigeria that would enable relevant stakeholders to study the pattern of the menace for at least 10 years. This is to assist in coming up with robust measures to curtail this menace or reduce the impacts of the accidents to the barest minimum. Consequently, the present study critically reviewed the cases of petroleum tanker fire and explosion accidents in Nigeria from January 2009 to October 2024. A total of 169 accident cases corresponding to 1,613 deaths were obtained. For the 16 year review, 2019 had the highest number of accident cases and deaths as 29 and 203 respectively. The least number of accident cases of 3 were obtained each in 2009, 2012 and 2014. However, the least accident cases did not correspond to least number of deaths. This could be attributed to fuel type and aggravating factors such as scooping of spilled fuel, ramming into crowded places, head on collision and human error.
Affiliations: Armament Engineering Department, Faculty of Air Engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology, NAF Base, PMB 2104, Kaduna, Nigeria.
Keywords: Petroleum Tanker, Fire, Explosion, Accident, Petroleum Product
Published date: 2024/12/30
