Tanker explosion: Death toll hits 86 as Niger gov bans heavy-duty trucks from plying Dikko bridge
The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba Arah, has claimed that no fewer than 86 bodies have been recovered so far in an ugly tanker explosion at Dikko Junction in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State
The Informant247 reports that the ugly incident happened after a fuel tanker travelling from Kaduna to Gwagwalada overturned at the junction, spilling its contents.
Despite warnings to keep a safe distance, many residents gathered to scoop fuel from the site.
The tanker exploded, resulting in catastrophic loss of life, severe injuries, and the destruction of property worth millions of naira.
However, a mass burial has been organised by NSEMA in collaboration with Gurara local government officials and community volunteers, which commenced at 5 p.m. and lasted until midnight.
Arah confirmed that 55 people sustained injuries in the explosion and are currently receiving medical care.
Niger gov bans heavy duty trucks plying one-way Dikko bridge
Meanwhile, the state governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has directed that no vehicle from the Maje axis should pass through the Dikko bridge.
The governor gave the directive on Saturday when he visited the scene of tanker explosion around Dikko junction, Gurara local government area of Niger State
According to a statement by Bologi Ibrahim, the governor’s spokesperson, the Governor, who decried the recklessness of some drivers, said it is acceptable for any vehicle coming from Maje to pass through the bridge; instead, they should follow under the bridge and take a U-turn appropriately.
The Governor, while describing the explosion, which has claimed many lives, as pathetic, thanking God that the tragic incident did not extend to the adjoining communities, enjoined the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps to establish a detachment in the area to ensure the enforcement of the directive, while calling on all relevant transport Unions to cooperate with the Road Safety Corps.
He also called on the Federal Government to expedite action to complete the Minna-Suleja road, as the delay in the road project is contributing to the continuous loss of many lives.
He said doctors from Minna Hospitals will be redeployed to assist in treating the injured victims currently receiving treatment in Suleja General Hospital.
Back story
A petrol tanker explosion on Saturday sadly killed no fewer than 50 persons along the Dikko-Maje road opposite Badeggi fuelling station in the Suleja local government area of Niger.
Mr Kumar Tsukwam, the Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commander (FRSC) in Niger, while confirming the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna, said a loaded petrol tanker fell at the scene of the incident with people scooping the spilling fuel, unaware of the impending danger.
Tsukwam added that those who went to scoop fuel were engulfed by the flames just as those who went to rescue them were also affected, saying more than 50 people lost their lives in the tragic incident.
However, the FRSC Commander assured that personnel of the corps and other sister agencies were on the ground for the rescue mission.
Tsukwam confirmed that his men were on the scene, working tirelessly to rescue those trapped.
Similarly, Alhaji Abdullahi Baba-Arah, Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), said the explosion occurred at about 9 am on Saturday.
He said the incident happened when a tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) crashed, and an attempt was made to transfer its contents to another tanker.
In the process, the PMS came into contact with a generator used to effect the transfer, triggering an explosion that claimed over 50 lives.
He added that many other persons were injured, while properties worth millions of Naira were destroyed.
Baba-Arah said NSEMA, in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Suleja LGA Emergency Committee, and volunteers, are currently conducting search, rescue, and recovery operations.
He said the injured have been moved to the hospital for treatment while efforts are being made to recover the corpses of the deceased.
NAN reports that more details are expected as the response operation is still ongoing.
He urged residents of the area to remain calm and cooperate with emergency responders as they work to mitigate the effects of the disaster.
NGF chair AbdulRazaq visits the scene of Niger tanker explosion, commiserates with Gov Bago, victims
The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq on Saturday paid a visit to the scene of the ugly petrol tanker explosion in Niger State
AbdulRazaq, while on an entourage to the scene of the avoidable incident, described the incident as devastating and sad.
According to a statement by Rafiu Ajakaye, the spokesperson of the NGF Chairman, AbdulRazaq expressed shock at the quantum of the casualties and the magnitude of the burns suffered by the survivors.
“The Forum is saddened by the petrol tanker explosion in Niger State, in which dozens of people have been killed or injured,” according to a statement of the Forum.
“The Forum extends its heartfelt condolences to His Excellency Governor Umar Bago, the families who have lost loved ones, and our other compatriots who got injured in the explosion.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost their loved ones in the incident, and we wish those injured quick healing.
“Again, we call on our compatriots to act with extreme caution and absolute respect for life at all times, and especially in time of grave danger, such as during a petrol spill.
“The Forum prays for the repose of the souls of the dead victims.”
The Informant247 reports that a petrol tanker explosion on Saturday sadly killed no fewer than 50 persons along the Dikko-Maje road opposite Badeggi fuelling station in the Suleja local government area of Niger.
Mr Kumar Tsukwam, the Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commander (FRSC) in Niger, while confirming the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna, said a loaded petrol tanker fell at the scene of the incident with people scooping the spilling fuel, unaware of the impending danger.
Tsukwam added that those who went to scoop fuel were engulfed by the flames just as those who went to rescue them were also affected, saying more than 50 people lost their lives in the tragic incident.
However, the FRSC Commander assured that personnel of the corps and other sister agencies were on the ground for the rescue mission.
Tsukwam confirmed that his men were on the scene, working tirelessly to rescue those trapped.
