Sunday, February 23, 2025
HomeNewsDeath Toll Rises To 80 In Niger Petrol Tanker Explosion

Death Toll Rises To 80 In Niger Petrol Tanker Explosion

Petrol tanker on fire

 

 

By Victory Oghene and Abdullahi Abubakar

No fewer than 80 people including a pregnant woman and many children were burnt to death while scooping fuel form a crashed petrol tanker in Niger State.

This much was confirmed to NATIONAL WAVES by an eye witness simply known as Aminu Idris.

Idris said over 60 people sustained varying degrees of burns and were rushed to different hospitals for treatment.

The tragic incident occurred on Saturday morning when a speeding petrol tanker crashed on Dikko Junction along the expressway between Niger and Kaduna states.

While confirming the incident, the National Emergency Management Agency said 70 residents lost their lives in the explosion.

Idris stated that the tanker was on high speed and later crashed. After some time, it started spilling its content, fuel, and people started scooping the fuel.

He added that he saw over 120 people scooping fuel as at the time the tanker exploded.

Another eyewitness, who gave his name as Modestus, said the tanker exploded when the main body of the vehicle separated from its head.

“Many people who came to scoop fuel from the fallen tanker lost their lives; they were more than 80. I noticed that there were no emergency officials or fire service officers. No rescue from government agents. It was only vigilantes that came around to help. May God have mercy on us and accept the souls of the departed,” Modestus said.

Confirming the incident, the Niger State Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Kumar Tsukwam, assured that his men were on the ground to address the situation.

According to him, a loaded petrol tanker fell at the scene of the incident, and people resorted to scooping fuel.

Tsukwam said those who went to scoop the fuel were engulfed by flames, including those who went to rescue the victims.

While confirming 50 deaths, he said 42 were injured.

“Those injured were taken to hospitals; 23 are at the General Hospital Suleja and another 19 at another hospital, also in Suleja,” he said.

The Director-General of the Niger State Emegerncy Management Agency, Abdullahi Baba-Arah, said 50 persons were burnt to death while others who sustained injuries were taken to hospitals.

In a statement on Saturday, he said, “NSEMA has received a report of a deadly tanker explosion which took place this morning, January 18, 2024, around 9am along the Dikko-Maje Road, opposite Baddegi Filling Station along the road in Suleja LG.

“The incident occurred when a tanker loaded with PMS crashed, and an attempt was made by the drivers to transfer its contents to a second tanker.

“In the process, the spilling PMS came in contact with a generator that was used to power the transfer process, triggering an explosion that has caused over 50 deaths, injured many people and destroyed property estimated at millions of naira.”

Baba-Arah added that the agency, in collaboration with the NEMA, Suleja LG Emergency Committee, and good-hearted volunteers, had begun carrying out a search and recovery operation.

NEMA, in a statement on Saturday, noted that 70 people died, adding that while most of the casualties were burnt beyond recognition, 56 injured persons had been evacuated to nearby hospitals for medical attention.

It said most of the victims were members of the community and passers-by.

The Director General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, condemned the act of poor handling of spilled tankers, stressing the recurrent tragedies associated with such risky behaviour.

The NEMA DG expressed regrets that despite the agency’s extensive public sensitisation campaigns with other stakeholders on the dangers of this practice, many individuals continued to ignore the warnings.

“This incident serves as another grim reminder of the need for strict adherence to safety measures during such emergencies,” the agency added.

Meanwhile, the Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Abdulganiyu Jaji, has called on fuel station owners and tanker operators to address the issue of reckless driving by their drivers, particularly on major roads and hazardous bends.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Saturday, Jaji emphasised the urgent need to review and enforce stringent safety protocols for fuel transportation across the country.

He warned that tanker explosions were increasingly frequent and often caused by preventable lapses.

Jaji said, “Fuel station owners and tanker operators should take immediate action in addressing reckless driving by their drivers, especially on major roads and dangerous bends. This will also help reduce the menace.”

Reacting to the tragedy, the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, expressed shock and urged residents to prioritise their safety.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Bologi Ibrahim, who was on Bago’s entourage to Suleja and Tafa LGs to inspect state projects, noted that scores of people died.

He said, “The governor describes the explosion as worrisome, heartbreaking and unfortunate. He specifically sympathises with the families of the victims and prays that Allah will repose the souls of the departed and heal the injured.

“The governor has directed all relevant ministries, departments, and agencies to do what is necessary while urging security agents to ensure security in the area.”

RELATED ARTICLES

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Most Popular