NOA DG Condemns Fuel Scooping, Urges National Assembly To Criminalise Act

The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lanre Issa-Onilu, has issued a scathing condemnation of the recent fuel scooping incident in Apapa, Lagos. In a statement released through the agency's communications director, Issa-Onilu described the practice as an unacceptable risk that endangers not just the participants, but also emergency responders and the surrounding infrastructure. The DG’s remarks come in response to reports of residents swarming a fallen diesel tanker on the Liverpool Bridge.

In a move to stem this recurring danger, the NOA DG is formally urging the National Assembly to enact legislation that specifically criminalizes fuel scooping. He argued that while poverty is a reality for many, it does not justify "reckless behavior or disregard for self-preservation." The proposed law would include clear, deterrent penalties aimed at discouraging people from approaching accident scenes involving hazardous materials.

Issa-Onilu recalled the grim history of tanker-related tragedies in Nigeria, where hundreds have lost their lives in sudden explosions while attempting to siphon fuel. He lamented that despite years of nationwide sensitization and "value-reorientation" campaigns, many individuals still choose to engage in these life-threatening acts. The agency believes that public education must now be backed by the "heavy hand" of the law.

​The incident in Apapa reportedly caused a massive gridlock, blocking the Mile 2 axis for several hours. While the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) arrived quickly to secure the scene, the sight of residents with jerry cans served as a stark reminder of the safety gaps in the region. The NOA boss emphasized that human life is sacred and should never be traded for momentary gain.

As the NOA continues its push for legislative action, the agency is calling on all Nigerians to collectively reject behaviors that lead to mass casualties. The focus remains on shifting the national mindset toward safety and lawfulness. By making fuel scooping a criminal offense, the government hopes to provide law enforcement with the tools needed to decisively end this deadly trend.