Dare Babalola
The Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, has strongly condemned the act of scooping fuel from a fallen tanker in Lagos, describing it as “dangerous, irresponsible, and condemnable”.
In a statement by Bala Musa, the Director Communication and Media on Monday, the DG said this practice is completely unacceptable in a modern society and poses an extreme and avoidable threat to human life, public safety, and national infrastructure.
“The risks involved are not limited to those directly engaged in the act; the collateral danger to motorists, nearby communities, emergency responders, and critical assets is enormous and far outweighs any perceived or imagined benefit,” the DG said.
Issa-Onilu noted that the National Orientation Agency has, over the years, consistently deployed nationwide sensitisation and public enlightenment campaigns to conscientise Nigerians on the dangers inherent in fuel scooping and similar high-risk behaviours. Regrettably, despite sustained advocacy, repeated warnings, and value-reorientation efforts, some individuals have remained adamant and have continued to engage in this undesirable and life-threatening conduct.
The Director General stated unequivocally that this behaviour cannot be justified under any circumstances.
“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.
He cited past tragic incidents across Nigeria where fuel tanker accidents led to explosions and fires after people tried to scoop fuel, killing hundreds.
These recurring tragedies, he stressed, are painful reminders that this menace is recurrent, preventable, and must no longer be tolerated.
The Director General urged the National Assembly to quickly pass a law that criminalises fuel scooping from fallen tankers and imposes tough penalties on those caught doing it, citing the grave danger it poses.
According to him, sustained public enlightenment must now be complemented by strong legal and enforcement frameworks to decisively end this deadly behaviour.
Issa-Onilu stressed that this trend must stop, saying Nigerians should reject actions that cause mass casualties and unnecessary loss of life. He reiterated the NOA’s commitment to intensifying its 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,” the Director General concluded.
