The Director General of the National Orientation Agency, Mallam Lanre Issa Onilu, has called on the National Assembly to urgently criminalise the act of scooping fuel from fallen tankers, describing the practice as reckless, deadly, and unacceptable.
Issa Onilu made the call following a tanker crash that occurred on Monday, January 20, at Liverpool Bridge in the Apapa area of Lagos State, where some individuals were reportedly seen attempting to scoop fuel from the fallen vehicle.
In a statement issued to journalists in Abuja on Monday, the NOA boss condemned the action in strong terms and urged lawmakers to initiate comprehensive legislation that would expressly outlaw fuel scooping, with clear and deterrent penalties for offenders.
According to him, public enlightenment alone is no longer sufficient to curb the dangerous behaviour, stressing that sustained sensitisation efforts must now be backed by firm legal and enforcement frameworks.
“The practice of scooping fuel from fallen tankers is condemnable and completely unacceptable in a modern society. It poses an extreme and avoidable threat to human life, public safety, and critical national infrastructure,” Issa Onilu said.
He warned that the dangers associated with fuel scooping go beyond those directly involved, noting that motorists, residents of nearby communities, emergency responders, and national assets are equally exposed to grave risks whenever such incidents occur.
The NOA Director General stated that the perceived benefits of scooping fuel cannot be compared with the enormous dangers involved, adding that Nigeria has witnessed several tragic incidents where tanker accidents escalated into explosions and infernos, claiming hundreds of lives.
“This is not poverty. Poverty does not take away the sense in people’s heads, nor does it eliminate judgement or the instinct for self preservation. What we are witnessing is a conscious, reckless, and criminal disregard for human life and public safety,” he said.
Issa Onilu recalled that the Agency has consistently carried out nationwide sensitisation and value reorientation campaigns over the years to educate Nigerians on the dangers of fuel scooping and other high risk behaviours. However, he expressed regret that despite repeated warnings, some individuals continue to engage in the life threatening act.
He described the recurring incidents as painful reminders of a preventable menace that must no longer be tolerated, urging Nigerians to collectively reject actions that repeatedly lead to mass casualties and national trauma.
Issa Onilu reaffirmed the commitment of the National Orientation Agency to intensify safety advocacy and value reorientation campaigns across the country, while calling on lawmakers to take decisive action to protect lives through appropriate legislation.
