From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
A burn expert from the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Dr. Olubunmi Aderibigbe, has raised fresh alarm over the rising danger of fire outbreaks on Nigerian roads and in residential areas, urging members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Ilorin to take safety more seriously.
Addressing the transport workers Dr. Aderibigbe, who is also a member of the Nigerian Burn Injuries Society, said the increasing loss of lives and property to avoidable fires should worry every Nigerian.
He recounted a recent encounter with a burnt fuel tanker on his way from Ilorin to Ibadan, describing it as “a painful reminder of what carelessness with fuel can lead to.”
“Two years ago, many lives were lost and millions of naira worth of property were destroyed in road accidents involving fire along Airport Road in Ilorin,” he told the gathering. “Fire incidents do not discriminate. They destroy lives, families and livelihoods.”
He stressed that preventing fire disasters is not the exclusive duty of the FRSC, Fire Service or medical teams, noting that drivers and transport operators must see safety as a shared responsibility.
The UITH specialist warned drivers against carrying extra petrol in their vehicles, calling the practice deadly. “We have lost many lives simply because people insist on moving around with fuel inside their vehicles. Safety first. If you are alive, you can conduct your business. Let us stop carrying extra fuel,” he said.
He also appealed to Nigerians who rely on generators to stop storing petrol in their homes, linking many domestic fire incidents to such habits. “Stop buying fuel in jerrycans for home storage. Avoid using phone lights when loading fuel into your vehicles or generators. Petrol is highly inflammable,” he warned.
According to him, while fire is useful, it becomes destructive when it escapes control. He urged transporters to ensure their vehicles are fitted with functional fire extinguishers to reduce casualties during emergencies.
He further revealed that 441 Nigerians died in road-related fire incidents in 2024, with most cases traced to negligence, overspeeding, bad tyres and unsafe handling of fuel.
Warning Nigerians against rushing to scoop fuel from fallen tankers, he said, “If a tanker falls, run away from the scene. Fuel is extremely dangerous. Your safety matters most.”
Dr. Aderibigbe also explained the basic “fire triangle”—heat, oxygen and fuel, saying fire only occurs when these three elements come together. “We must do everything within our power to keep these factors apart,” he advised.
He urged NURTW members to make safety a personal priority. “Accidents are not planned. Fire does not offer a second chance. Let us protect ourselves, our passengers and our homes,” he said.
