Firefighters extinguish fire from a tanker that exploded in Suleja, Nigeria, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Arise News)
...Governor, former Speaker Tambuwal express grief
By Olawale Lamina, Hussein J-Isah and Simeon Omame
A truck conveying the Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, also known as petrol tanker has caught fire following a crash, killing no fewer than 77 people who had gathered to collect fuel from the scene on Saturday.
The incident first reported by the BBC says the fuel tanker summersulted and emptied its contents in the Suleja area of North Central Niger State on Saturday.
Tragedy struck when persons within the scene started scooping petrol, leading to explosion and killing scores of persons and injuring about 25 others including those who had gathered to rescue victims.
An unconfirmed report has it that the fuel tanker explosion may have been caused by the poor state of roads and a badly maintained vehicle.
The emergency management agency, NEMA said that those injured in Saturday’s explosion are being treated in nearby hospitals.
Another report credited to Kumar Tsukwam, the FRSC sector commander for Niger State, death toll from the explosion “stands at 70 so far.”
He explained that, “Most of the victims were burnt beyond recognition…. “We are at the scene to clear things up,” adding that firefighters had managed to put out the fire.
He shed more light by saying that the truck carrying 60,000 liters of gasoline had an accident around 10:00 a.m. local time (0900 UTC) at a junction linking Abuja to the city of Kaduna.
Cases of fuel tanker explosion have become common in many Nigerian cities and often blamed on the poor state of the road or carelessness on the part of the drivers. For instance , a fortnight ago, a fuel tanker accident occured, leading to an explosion in Delta State, killing at least five persons, this is apart from a similar incident resulting in the death of about 153 people as they tried to scoop fuel last year October.
The number of those who scoop petrol has increased in a desperate move for survival in the face of economic hardship, while the federal government is doing all in its powers , including introducing reforms aimed at eventually addressing the nation’s economic situation.
Meanwhile, the governor of Nigeria State, Mohammed Bago, has equally confirmed the incident in a statement and said that many people are believed to have perished in a huge fire caused by the tanker explosion.
He described the incident as “worrisome, heartbreaking, and unfortunate.”
On his part, the former Speaker, Tambuwal expressed grief.
In an emotion laden tone, a former speaker of the Nigeria’s house of representatives, Aminu Tambuwal has expressed grief over the fuel tanker tragedy via his X handle.
Tambuwal’s post read: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic fuel tanker explosion in Dikko, Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State, which has claimed many lives. This devastating loss is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities we face in the face of preventable accidents. My heartfelt condolences go out to the families who have lost loved ones, and my thoughts and prayers are with the people and government of Niger State during this incredibly difficult time.
“In the wake of such a tragedy, it is crucial that we come together as a nation to address the root causes of such incidents. Strengthening regulations surrounding the transportation of hazardous materials, enhancing safety measures, and ensuring that emergency response systems are well-equipped and efficient could significantly reduce the risk of such accidents in the future. Additionally, community awareness campaigns on safety protocols are essential to safeguarding lives.
“While we can not undo the pain this loss has caused, we can work towards creating a safer environment for everyone. May the souls of the departed rest in eternal peace, and may those affected by this tragedy find the strength and resilience to heal. Together, we must prioritize the well-being of our citizens and ensure that such a calamity does not occur again.” -AWT
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