ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-At least 50 people lost their lives on Saturday in a petrol tanker explosion along the Dikko-Maje Road in Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State.
Several others sustained varying degrees of injuries while attempting to scoop fuel from the tanker, which had spilt its contents on the road.
The Federal Road Safety Commander in the state, Kumar Tsukwam, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria in Minna, the state capital.
According to Tsukwam, the tragedy occurred after a fully loaded petrol tanker overturned, prompting residents to gather the leaking fuel, unaware of the looming danger.
He explained that the flames engulfed those scooping the fuel and also spread to others who rushed in to assist.
He said, “More than 50 people lost their lives in the tragic incident.”
He also assured the public that personnel from the corps and other sister agencies were actively involved in the rescue mission.
Tsukwam confirmed that his team was on the scene, working tirelessly to rescue those trapped.
Similarly, the Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba-Arah, disclosed that the explosion occurred around 9 a.m. on Saturday.
He explained that the incident happened when a tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) crashed, and an attempt was made to transfer its contents to another tanker.
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According to Baba-Arah, during the transfer, the PMS came into contact with a generator being used for the operation, igniting an explosion that claimed over 50 lives.
He added that many others sustained injuries, and properties worth millions of Naira were destroyed.
Baba-Arah noted that NSEMA, in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Suleja LGA Emergency Committee, and volunteers, was actively conducting search, rescue, and recovery operations.
He said, “Those injured have been moved to the hospital for treatment while efforts are being made to recover the corpses of the deceased.”
He urged residents of the area to remain calm and cooperate with emergency responders as they work to mitigate the effects of the disaster.
The Chief Press Secretary to the State Governor, Bologi Ibrahim who was part of the governor’s entourage inspecting government projects in Suleja and Tafa Local Government Areas, confirmed the incident to our correspondent.
Ibrahim stated that the governor called for caution from road users.
He said the governor expressed shock at the incident and urged security agents to ensure adequate security while other humanitarian agencies worked to restore normalcy in the area.
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“Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, expresses shock over a tanker explosion that claimed several lives in Dikko junction, around the Abuja-Kaduna expressway.
“The governor describes the explosion as worrisome, heartbreaking and unfortunate. He specifically sympathises with the families of the victims of the explosion and prays that Allah will repose the souls of the departed and heal the injured. The governor, however, cautioned the people to always be responsible and give priority to their safety.
“He directed all the relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to do what is necessary while urging security agents to ensure security in the area.
“A Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol tanker, was said to have exploded at Dikko junction this morning, after which some residents of the area went to scoop its content.
“Scores were said to have been burnt to death, while several others sustained various degrees of burnt,” he stated.