NOA DG Condemns Fuel Scooping, Calls for Stiffer Laws to End Deadly Practice
The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lanre Issa-Onilu, has strongly condemned the practice of scooping fuel from fallen or overturned tankers, describing it as a reckless and life-threatening act that must be stopped through stricter legislation and enforcement.
Issa-Onilu made the call following a recent incident in Apapa, Lagos, where members of the public were seen collecting petrol from a crashed tanker despite the obvious danger of fire and explosion. He said the recurring behaviour shows a dangerous disregard for human life and public safety. According to the NOA boss, fuel scooping has led to numerous avoidable deaths across the country over the years, with many incidents ending in explosions that kill not only those involved but also innocent bystanders, motorists and emergency responders. This practice is totally unacceptable. It is dangerous, irresponsible and criminal. Poverty or hardship cannot justify risking lives in this manner,” Issa-Onilu said. He stressed that while the NOA has continued to intensify nationwide public enlightenment campaigns warning Nigerians about the dangers of fuel scooping, awareness alone is no longer enough to deter the practice. As a result, the NOA DG called on the National Assembly to urgently enact specific laws that criminalise fuel scooping from fallen tankers, with clear and stiff penalties to serve as a deterrent. He noted that strong legislation, backed by enforcement, is critical to curbing the behaviour. Issa-Onilu also urged security agencies, emergency responders and community leaders to work together to secure accident scenes and keep people away from spilled fuel whenever tanker accidents occur. Nigeria has recorded several tragic tanker explosions in recent years, many of them linked to fuel scooping, resulting in the loss of hundreds of lives. Safety agencies have repeatedly warned that spilled fuel can ignite easily, even from a phone signal, vehicle spark or open flame. The NOA says it will continue to push for behavioural change while advocating legal reforms to protect lives and prevent further tragedies on Nigerian roads.
