Youths risk lives to scoop fuel from fallen truck

Hundreds of Nigerian youths risked their lives as they happily scooped fuel from a fallen truck.

The incident happened at about 4 pm near Okurikang Junction in Odukpani LGA.

The truck fell as a result of a heavy downpour which made the Calabar-Itu federal road slippery as the ongoing rehabilitation of the road is witnessing snail speed.

Onlookers said the truck was on its way from Calabar depot to deliver its product either in Akwa Ibom State or any of the eastern states.

The truck had no plate numbers and the driver was said to have escaped death narrowly, and was helped to a nearby hospital.

One of the youths who gave his name as Ikpeme James said his fellow Okada riders had to park distances away before they began to help themselves with the fuel.

“We have cautioned ourselves that nobody should ignite any iron, switch on their phones, hold matches or slam anything that could spark fires,” he said.

Some of the Okada riders and even villagers were seen under the drizzling rain jumping into the fallen truck to scoop the product despite the inherent heavy risks.

There was a build of vehicular traffic, including other truck bearing petroleum products, near the spot.

No official of the Federal Road Safety corps, FRSC, nor policemen were anywhere nearby.