441 Lives Lost To Road Accident Fires In 2024 — Burn Expert

A burn expert at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) and member of the Nigerian Burn Injuries Society, Dr. Olubunmi Aderibigbe, has disclosed that 441 Nigerians lost their lives to road-related fire incidents in 2024.

He attributed most of the fire incidents to human factors such as negligence, overspeeding, worn-out tyres, and unsafe handling of petroleum products.

Aderibigbe made this revelation while addressing members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Ilorin, Kwara State.

He asked the transporters to take precautionary measures against the rising cases of fire incidents both on the roads and in residential areas.

He expressed concern over the increasing number of lives and property lost to preventable fire outbreaks in the country.

He recalled witnessing a burned fuel tanker on his way from Ilorin to Ibadan recently, describing the experience as a reminder of the dangers associated with mishandling petroleum products.

“Two years ago, many lives were lost and millions of naira worth of property were destroyed in road accidents involving fire here along Airport road in Ilorin. Fire incidents do not discriminate. They destroy lives, families, and livelihoods,” Aderibigbe said.

He noted that fire prevention is no longer the sole responsibility of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Fire Service or medical emergency teams but a collective concern for drivers, transport operators, and all road users.

Aderibigbe cautioned drivers against carrying extra petroleum products in their cars, describing the trend as extremely dangerous.

He also urged Nigerians who rely heavily on power generators to stop storing petroleum in their homes, warning that many domestic fire incidents were linked to such practices.

“Stop buying fuel in jerrycans for home storage. Avoid using phone lights when loading fuel into your vehicles or generators. Petroleum is highly inflammable,” he warned.