By Newspointer Desk
Fire Disaster – Dec. 4, 2025
A burn specialist at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Dr Olubunmi Aderibigbe, has warned transport workers against unsafe practices as incidents of fire disasters continue to rise across the country.
Aderibigbe gave the warning while addressing members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in Ilorin, Kwara State, during a sensitisation programme on fire prevention and safety.
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He lamented the huge loss of lives and property from preventable fire outbreaks, noting that many of the incidents were linked to human negligence and poor handling of petroleum products. The burn specialist recounted his experience of passing a burnt fuel tanker on the Ilorin–Ibadan highway, describing it as a reminder of the dangers associated with careless fuel transportation.
Aderibigbe also recalled a tanker explosion along Airport Road in Ilorin some years ago, which claimed several lives and destroyed properties worth millions of naira. According to him, fire incidents have far-reaching consequences, often leaving families devastated and livelihoods destroyed.
He stressed that preventing fire outbreaks should not be left to government agencies alone, warning that safety must be embraced by road users themselves. He said drivers and transport operators must take responsibility beyond relying on agencies such as the Federal Road Safety Corps and fire services.
Condemning the habit of carrying extra petrol in vehicles, Aderibigbe described the practice as dangerous, saying it had led to avoidable deaths across the country. “If you are alive, you can do your business. Stop carrying fuel inside your vehicles,” he warned.
The UITH consultant also cautioned Nigerians who use generators against storing petrol in their homes, attributing many domestic fire outbreaks to careless storage and handling of fuel. He advised against loading fuel with phone lights, noting that petrol is highly inflammable.
Aderibigbe urged transport operators to ensure that their vehicles are equipped with functional fire extinguishers to enable quick response during emergencies.
He disclosed that no fewer than 441 Nigerians lost their lives to road-related fire incidents in 2024, blaming most of the cases on speeding, worn-out tyres and unsafe handling of fuel. He also warned members of the public against rushing to scoop fuel from fallen tankers.
While explaining the basic principles of fire, he said fire can only ignite when heat, oxygen and fuel are present, urging Nigerians to consciously avoid creating such conditions.
He called on members of the NURTW and other road users to prioritise safety at all times, warning that fire accidents often occur without warning and rarely offer survivors a second chance.
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