…Tinubu Mourns Victims
…To Set Up Committee To Tackle Tanker Explosion
A devastating tanker explosion at Dikko Junction in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State has claimed the lives of 86 people, according to Abdullahi Baba Arah, Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA).
Speaking on Sunday, Arah revealed that 80 victims were buried in a mass grave located at the Dikko Primary Health Care premises, while five bodies were claimed by relatives for private burial.
One victim succumbed to injuries at the healthcare center.
The tragic incident occurred when a fuel tanker traveling 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.
The mass burial, organized by NSEMA in collaboration with Gurara local government officials and community volunteers, 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.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the fuel tanker explosion, which caused the death of over 80 people, with many also injured.
The devastating explosion occurred on Saturday at Dikko Junction, Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State, bringing about an immense human toll.
According to a statement by Tinubu’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, on Sunday, the President mourned the victims and expressed his condolences to the families affected, as well as to the government and people of Niger State.
He underscored the tragic and preventable nature of the incident, as many victims were said to be those scooping Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from the overturned tanker.
Onanuga said that the President has directed the provision of comprehensive medical care to the injured and instructed security and road safety authorities to implement measures to avert similar incidents.
He added that Tinubu strongly advised all citizens to exercise caution and avoid approaching accident sites, especially those involving fuel-laden vehicles, due to their highly explosive nature.
Additionally, the President has mandated the National Orientation Agency to initiate a nationwide educational campaign. This campaign will raise public awareness about the severe risks and environmental dangers of scooping fuel from fallen tankers.
Also, President Bola Tinubu will set up a high-powered committee to investigate the recurrence of tanker explosions and implement safety measures to forestall the tragedy.
The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, stated this on Sunday at the Palace of the Emir of Suleja where he visited to commiserate with victims of Saturday’s tanker explosion in Dikko Junction, in the Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State.
He said members of the committee would be drawn from the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), tanker drivers’ associations and other stakeholders.
The minister also said enlightenment campaigns on the safe movement of fuel tankers, road safety habits and the dangers of scooping leaked fuel would be carried out by his ministry.
Mohammed was accompanied to the state by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Nentawe Yilwatda, and top government officials.
