-
A petrol tanker explosion at Dikko Junction in Niger State has claimed 86 lives and injured 55 others.
-
President Bola Tinubu, former President Muhammadu Buhari, and other prominent Nigerians have expressed condolences over the tragic incident.
-
FG and relevant agencies have been urged to take concrete steps to prevent future occurrences of tanker explosions.
A devastating petrol tanker explosion at Dikko Junction in Niger State has claimed 86 lives and injured 55 others.
The incident occurred on Saturday when a speeding fuel tanker crashed and exploded, killing residents who were scooping fuel from the tanker.
President Bola Tinubu expressed deep sorrow over the incident, directing relevant agencies to provide comprehensive medical care to the injured and implement measures to avert similar incidents.
ATTENTION: Click “HERE” to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!
Tinubu stated, “We are profoundly saddened by the loss of lives and the suffering caused by this unfortunate incident.”
Former President Muhammadu Buhari also condoled with the government and people of Niger State, wishing speedy recovery to those injured.
Buhari expressed disappointment that the practice of scooping up fuel was becoming common despite warnings from authorities.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar-led Jama’atu Nasril Islam called on the Federal Government to take urgent action against tanker explosions and criminalities in the country.
The JNI described the incident as “one too many” and urged the government to take concrete steps to prevent future occurrences.
READ ALSO: Tinubu reacts to Nigerian govs’ position on Tax Reform Bills
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers appealed to the Federal Government to take urgent steps to repair failed sections of highways and mandate relevant agencies to carry out sensitization campaigns to educate Nigerians on the danger of scooping fuel from collapsed petrol tankers.
Also, The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Abdullahi Baba-Arah, confirmed that 86 persons had been confirmed dead, with their corpses recovered and buried.
Baba-Arah stated, “A total number of 86 persons have been confirmed dead, with their corpses recovered and buried.”
FG Breaks Silence on Niger Petrol Tanker Fire, Condoles with Victims’ Families
The Federal Government has expressed its condolences to the government and people of Niger State following the recent petrol tanker explosion at Dikko Junction in Gurara Local Government Area.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof. Nantewe Yilwatda, described the incident as “tragic,” noting that it claimed many lives and destroyed the property of innocent citizens.
