Panic gripped residents of Zangon Kanya village in Ringim Local Government Area of Jigawa State on Thursday evening following an accident involving a petrol tanker carrying Premium Motor Spirit.
According to a local source, the crash occurred when the tanker driver swerved in an attempt to avoid a head-on collision with another oncoming tanker.
The maneuver caused the vehicle to veer off the road and overturn.
Following the incident, the tanker began leaking petrol onto the road, prompting some residents to flee while others tried to scoop the spilling fuel.
Fortunately, a swift response from security operatives helped avert disaster as they arrived promptly and secured the area to prevent any escalation.
Confirming the incident, the State Police Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Lawan Shiisu Adam, stated, “The incident happened on Thursday May, 01, 2025. At about 1300hrs, a distress call was received that, there was a lone fatal motor vehicle accident involving a Howa trailer, Reg no. Kano 549 BNK, driven by one Muhammad Ali of Yankatsari village, Dawakin Kudu LGA, Kano State.”
He explained that the tanker was transporting 60,000 liters of PMS from Lagos State to Gujungu town in Taura LGA when the crash happened.
“According to him, on reaching Zangon Kanya village, Ringim LGA, the said driver, while trying to maneuver local traffic diversion on the road to avoid hitting an oncoming trailer vehicle, lost control of his vehicle, as a result of which, the vehicle fell off the road. Subsequently, the fuel started spilling on the road.”
The police spokespsrson added that upon receiving the distress call, police immediately coordinated with other agencies including the Fire Service, the Federal Road Safety Corps, and other relevant authorities to secure the area.
He said, “On reaching the scene, the whole area was cordoned to prevent villagers, passersby and other miscreants from scooping the spilling PMS.”
Traffic was promptly redirected, and the area remains under control to prevent further incidents.
“The Police spokesman said the traffic is being well managed and controlled, as road users are diverted far away from the scene to avoid any untoward development.”
Shiisu further confirmed that no explosion or fire outbreak occurred and only the driver sustained injuries. He was promptly taken to the Ringim General Hospital for medical care.
This accident brings back memories of a tragic incident in Majia town, also in Taura LGA, where over 100 people lost their lives in a similar tanker accident just a few kilometers away.
