By Chimezie Godfrey
The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, has strongly condemned the dangerous and irresponsible act of scooping fuel from fallen tankers, describing it as a grave threat to human lives and public safety.
Issa-Onilu spoke following an incident that occurred on Monday, January 20, at the Liverpool Bridge in the Apapa area of Lagos State, where residents were seen scooping fuel from a fallen tanker.
According to the NOA Director-General, fuel scooping is unacceptable in a modern society and poses avoidable risks not only to those involved but also to motorists, emergency responders, nearby communities and critical national infrastructure.
He noted that the dangers associated with the practice far outweigh any perceived or imagined benefit, stressing that the act exposes the public to explosions, infernos and large-scale fatalities.
Issa-Onilu recalled that the Agency has consistently carried out nationwide sensitisation and public enlightenment campaigns to discourage fuel scooping and other high-risk behaviours.
Despite sustained advocacy, repeated warnings and value-reorientation programmes, he lamented that some individuals have continued to engage in the life-threatening conduct.
The NOA boss stated that such 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 further recalled past tragedies across the country where tanker accidents led to deadly explosions after people attempted to scoop fuel, resulting in the loss of hundreds of lives.
According to him, these repeated incidents show that the menace is preventable and must no longer be tolerated.
In view of the growing danger, Issa-Onilu called on the National Assembly to urgently enact legislation to criminalise fuel scooping and impose clear and deterrent penalties on offenders.
He stressed that public enlightenment must now be complemented by strong legal and enforcement frameworks to end the practice.
Issa-Onilu reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to intensifying value-reorientation and 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,” he concluded.