NPA Cracks Down on Fuel Thieves at Accident Scenes

What many see as an opportunity could soon become a fast track to arrest.

The Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Edudzi Tamakloe, has issued a firm warning to individuals who rush to tanker accident scenes to siphon fuel: the days of getting away with it are numbered.

Speaking before Parliament’s Energy Committee, Tamakloe described the growing practice as both illegal and dangerously reckless. According to him, it has become common for people to arrive at accident sites carrying gallons, hoping to collect spilled fuel. In more extreme cases, some even puncture damaged tankers to extract fuel, actions that dramatically increase the risk of explosions.

And the consequences, he noted, have already been devastating.

Several of these incidents have ended in severe injuries and, in some cases, loss of life, turning what might seem like a quick gain into a fatal mistake. But beyond the obvious danger, the NPA boss made it clear: this is not just risky behavior, it is outright theft.

Now, authorities are shifting strategy.

Tamakloe revealed that the NPA is intensifying its crackdown by working closely with media outlets to identify offenders. Videos captured at accident scenes, often widely circulated, will now serve as evidence. These recordings will be handed over to the Ghana Police Service to track down, identify, and prosecute those involved.

His message was blunt and unmistakable; if you are caught on camera siphoning fuel, expect a knock from law enforcement.

Beyond enforcement, the warning carries a deeper appeal to public safety. The NPA is urging citizens to stay far away from tanker accident scenes, emphasizing that the risks go far beyond legal consequences. One spark, one wrong move, and the situation can escalate into a deadly explosion.

In a country where such tragic incidents are not unfamiliar, the message is clear, what looks like free fuel could cost far more than it’s worth.