NOA DG Condemns Fuel Scooping, Calls for Law to Criminalise Practice
By Erewunmi Peace
The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, has strongly condemned the dangerous practice of fuel scooping and has called for legislation to criminalise the act.
Issa-Onilu made the call following a recent incident in which members of the public were seen scooping fuel from an overturned tanker in the Apapa area of Lagos State. He described the act as reckless and life-threatening, warning that it has led to several fatal explosions in the past.
According to the NOA boss, public awareness campaigns alone have not been sufficient to curb the practice, stressing the need for stiffer legal measures to deter individuals from engaging in fuel scooping.
He urged the National Assembly to enact laws that clearly define penalties for offenders.
“Fuel scooping poses a serious danger to lives and property. There is an urgent need to criminalise this act to prevent avoidable tragedies,” Issa-Onilu said.
He also appealed to Nigerians to prioritize safety and cooperate with emergency responders whenever tanker accidents occur, rather than risking their lives for spilled fuel.
Fuel scooping has remained a recurring problem in Nigeria, often resulting in fires, explosions, and loss of lives. Authorities have repeatedly warned against the practice, urging the public to stay away from accident scenes involving petroleum products.
