The death toll from the tragic petrol tanker explosion at Dikko Junction near Suleja, Niger State, has risen to 86, with 55 injured victims currently receiving treatment.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday, involved a speeding fuel tanker that crashed at Dikko Junction between Niger and Kaduna states. In the process of attempting to scoop spilled fuel from the road, the tanker exploded, resulting in a devastating blaze. The explosion claimed the lives of residents who were scooping fuel and others who attempted to rescue them.
Mass Burial for Victims
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), in collaboration with the Gurara Local Government Area and volunteers, conducted a mass burial for the victims. Speaking on the tragedy, NSEMA Director General Abdullahi Baba-Arah stated:
“A total number of 86 persons have been confirmed dead, with their corpses recovered and buried. Eighty of them were interred in mass graves at the Dikko Primary Health Care premises, while five were claimed by relatives for private burials. One person died at Dikko PHC.”
Official Reactions and Condolences
President Bola Tinubu expressed profound sorrow over the incident, extending his condolences to the families of the victims and the people of Niger State. In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu directed relevant agencies to ensure comprehensive medical care for the injured and called for stricter safety measures to prevent similar tragedies. The President also tasked the National Orientation Agency with initiating a nationwide awareness campaign on the dangers of scooping fuel.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari also mourned the victims, expressing disappointment at the recurring practice of fuel scooping despite its well-known dangers. In a statement by his media aide, Garba Shehu, Buhari urged authorities to enforce stricter regulations to curb such incidents.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, in a statement by his media aide Stanley Nkwocha, assured affected families of the government’s commitment to preventing future occurrences.
Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago visited the explosion site and ordered a ban on vehicles from the Maje axis passing through the Dikko bridge. The governor also directed the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to establish a detachment in the area to enforce safety protocols.
Federal and State Interventions
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced the immediate transfer of critically injured victims from Suleja General Hospital to tertiary health facilities for enhanced care. Accompanied by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, Idris emphasized the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting the victims and their families.
The Northern Governors’ Forum, through its chairman, Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, expressed solidarity with the people of Niger State, describing the tragedy as a significant national loss. Similarly, the Southern Governors’ Forum, led by Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, called the incident “soul-crushing” and prayed for comfort for the bereaved families.
Calls for Safety Reforms
The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, urged tanker operators to adhere to safety standards to prevent such tragedies. In a statement by FRSC Spokesperson Olusegun Ogungbemide, the agency described the incident as “tragic and preventable.”
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar-led Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), called on the Federal Government to address tanker explosions and criminalities. The JNI also appealed for expedited completion of the long-delayed Suleja-Minna road project to enhance highway safety.
In a similar vein, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) urged the government to repair failing highways and intensify public awareness campaigns on the dangers of scooping fuel from tankers. NUPENG leaders, Williams Akporeha and Olawale Afolabi, reiterated the union’s commitment to road safety through continuous training of its members.
A Nation in Mourning
As condolences pour in from various quarters, the nation grapples with the devastating consequences of the explosion. Authorities and stakeholders alike have called for immediate measures to prevent a recurrence of such tragedies and ensure the safety of lives on the nation’s highways.
