Death Toll in Niger Tanker Explosion Rises to 86, 55 Injured
The death toll from the tragic petrol tanker explosion at Dikko Junction near Suleja in Niger State has risen to 86, with 55 others injured and currently receiving medical care. The incident occurred on Saturday when a speeding fuel tanker crashed and exploded while residents attempted to scoop the spilled fuel, causing widespread devastation.
The initial reports on Saturday indicated 70 fatalities and 50 injuries. However, as recovery efforts continued, more bodies were found and given a mass burial. According to Abdullahi Baba-Arah, Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), the mass burial took place between 5 p.m. and midnight on Sunday. A total of 86 bodies were recovered, 80 of which were buried in a mass grave at Dikko PHC premises.
The tanker explosion caused a fire that consumed those who were attempting to collect the spilled fuel, as well as those who rushed to help. Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State visited the site and enforced restrictions on vehicles coming from the Maje axis, ordering the Federal Road Safety Corps to establish a detachment to enforce the new traffic directives.
National Leaders Respond to Tragedy
President Bola Tinubu expressed his condolences and directed relevant agencies to provide immediate medical care for the injured. He also mandated the National Orientation Agency to launch a nationwide campaign to educate the public about the dangers of scooping fuel from fallen tankers, a practice that has contributed to many such tragedies.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas also mourned the lives lost in the explosion, with Buhari condemning the recurring incidents of fuel scooping despite repeated warnings.
The Northern Governors’ Forum and Southern Governors’ Forum both offered their condolences, with the latter expressing deep concern over the scale of the tragedy. The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, called the incident heartbreaking, while the Federal Road Safety Corps urged fuel tanker operators to follow safety protocols strictly.
Call for Action on Highway Safety and Fuel Tanker Explosions
The Jama’atu Nasril Islam, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, urged the government to take urgent action to prevent future tanker explosions and ensure better surveillance on explosion-prone highways. The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) also called for government intervention to repair dilapidated sections of roads and educate the public on the dangers of collecting fuel from accidents.
This tragedy has highlighted the pressing need for more rigorous safety measures and public awareness campaigns to address the growing number of fuel-related accidents in the country.
