More than 50 people have died in a petrol tanker explosion on Saturday along the Dikko-Maje Road in the Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State. At the same time, others reportedly sustained injuries while attempting to scoop fuel after the tanker spilt on the tarred road.
The Niger State Federal Road Safety Commander, Kumar Tsukwam, confirmed the incident to reporters in Minna, the state capital. According to Tsukwam, the victims were engulfed in flames when the spilt fuel ignited. He revealed that the inferno even affected some individuals who tried to rescue others.
More than 50 people lost their lives in the tragic incident,” Tsukwam said.
The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba-Arah, provided further details, stating that the explosion occurred around 9:00 a.m. during an attempt to transfer Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from the damaged tanker to another vehicle. He explained that the PMS came into contact with a generator used for the transfer process, triggering the explosion.
Many others sustained injuries, while properties worth millions of Naira were destroyed. Those injured have been moved to the hospital for treatment, while recovery efforts for the deceased are ongoing, Baba-Arah said.
He urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with emergency responders as they work to manage the crisis. The joint operation involves NSEMA, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Suleja LGA Emergency Committee, and volunteers.
It will be recalled that in October last year, an explosion involving a petrol tanker claimed over 90 lives in Majiya Town, Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State. The Public Relations Officer, Jigawa State Police Command, DSP Lawan Adam, explained that the explosion was triggered by locals who rushed to the scene to collect fuel from the overturned tanker. A mass burial was conducted for the victims later days after the tragic incident.
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