At least 70 people, including a pregnant woman and many children, lost their lives in a devastating fuel tanker explosion in Niger State, Nigeria, on Saturday. The tragedy occurred when a speeding petrol tanker crashed on Dikko Junction, spilling fuel that ignited, engulfing people attempting to scoop it up.
Eyewitnesses described the chaotic scene, with one resident, Ibrahim Suleiman, stating that people were confused and didn’t know what to do after the tanker crashed. “Suddenly, the tanker began to spill fuel, and when people saw the fuel, they rushed to the fallen tanker to scoop the fuel. It was then I heard the explosion,” Suleiman said.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed that 70 people died in the explosion, with 56 injured persons evacuated to nearby hospitals. The agency’s Director-General, Zubaida Umar, condemned the act of poor handling of spilled tankers, stressing the need for strict adherence to safety measures during emergencies.
The Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, expressed shock and urged residents to prioritize their safety. The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, also expressed condolences and stressed the importance of enhanced safety measures to prevent similar incidents.
This tragic incident is the latest in a series of tanker accidents in Nigeria, highlighting the need for improved safety protocols and emergency response measures.
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