The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, has strongly condemned the practice of scooping fuel from fallen tankers, following a recent incident in Apapa, Lagos.
In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by the NOA’s Communications Director, Mr Bala Musa, Issa-Onilu called on the National Assembly to criminalise fuel scooping, describing the act as dangerous and unacceptable.
He said the practice poses extreme and preventable threats to human life, public safety and national infrastructure, stressing that its dangers go far beyond those directly involved.
“The risks extend beyond those directly involved. Motorists, nearby communities, emergency responders and critical assets are all endangered, far outweighing any perceived benefit,” he said.
Issa-Onilu noted that the agency has, over the years, carried out nationwide sensitisation campaigns to educate Nigerians on the dangers of fuel scooping and other risky behaviours.
“Regrettably, despite warnings and value-reorientation efforts, some individuals persist in this life-threatening conduct. Poverty does not justify reckless behaviour or disregard for self-preservation,” he said.
He described fuel scooping as a conscious, reckless and criminal disregard for human life and public safety, recalling past tragedies where tanker accidents and fuel scooping led to explosions and hundreds of deaths.
The NOA boss urged lawmakers to introduce clear and deterrent penalties to end the recurring menace.
“I urge the National Assembly to enact legislation criminalising fuel scooping from fallen tankers, with clear, deterrent penalties for offenders. Sustained public education must now be reinforced by strong legal and enforcement frameworks to end this deadly behaviour decisively,” he said.
He added that Nigerians must collectively reject actions that lead to mass casualties, national trauma and preventable loss of life.
“Human life is sacred and priceless. No situation, excuse or momentary gain justifies conduct that places lives in imminent danger,” Issa-Onilu said.
Elijah Adeyemi
