A tanker carrying 24,000 litres of diesel lost control while trying to navigate around a Toyota Hilux on Saturday morning and fell on the Nnamdi Azikiwe Bypass Expressway in Kaduna.
Although no lives were lost, diesel was gushing from the tanker after its cover was removed following the accident.
Residents in the community were seen scooping the overflowing diesel into jerry cans, plates and other containers.
Speaking to DAILY POST, 25-year-old Miss Ruth Baba, a student of Kaduna State University, said she was scooping the diesel because it presented an opportunity to raise money for her school fees.
“I have nobody to assist paying my school fees, since the death of my parents. This is an opportunity for me to labour for my school fees,” she said.
Similarly, 45-year-old Mr Josee Bande, who was caught scooping diesel into a jerry can, said: “I have nothing to eat because I don’t have the money. My family is hungry. With what I was able to scoop, I can pay my rent and buy food for my family.”
The driver of the tanker was reportedly in a stable condition.
All efforts to speak to the Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission, Kaduna Sector Command, failed as he did not pick his calls or respond to a text message sent to him.