48 persons confirmed dead following a petrol tanker explosion in Agaie Local Government Area of Niger State have been given a mass burial.
The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Abdullahi Baba-Arab confirmed this on Sunday.
According to him, following further search and rescue operations, 18 more bodies were recovered in addition to the 30 bodies earlier reported.
“Following further search and rescue operations, my agency discovered 18 more bodies which were also burnt to death and all the dead have been given mass burial,” he said.
The incident occurred when the tanker collided head-on with a trailer truck carrying passengers and cattle from Wudil, Kano State, en route to Lagos.
The explosion happened around 12:30 am along the Lapai-Agaie road, approximately 2km from Dendo Community.
The NSEMA statement read: “NSEMA has received a report of a deadly tanker explosion that occurred on Sunday, 8th September 2024, at about 12:30 am along Lapai-Agaie road, 2km from Dendo Community in Agaie LGA.
“The incident happened when a petrol tanker loaded with PMS collided with a trailer truck carrying travellers and cattle from Wudil, Kano State, heading to Lagos. Two other vehicles, a crane truck and a pickup van, were also involved in the incident.
“Over 30 people have already been confirmed dead, with more than 50 cattle burnt alive. NSEMA’s Rapid Response Team (RRT), in conjunction with LGEMCs, is still at the scene conducting search and rescue operations, as more bodies remain trapped inside the vehicles,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, the state Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago has expressed sadness over the loss of lives and properties from the explosion.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, the Governor says he is pained by the unfortunate incident and the colossal loss incurred.
The Governor called for calm by the residents of the affected area and also enjoined road users to always be cautious and abide by road traffic regulations to safeguard lives and property.
The Governor prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed and grant quick recovery to those injured.
