A devastating petrol tanker explosion occurred at Dikko Junction near Suleja in Niger State, resulting in a staggering 86 fatalities and 55 injuries. The incident happened on Saturday 18th January, 2025. When a speeding fuel tanker crashed and exploded, engulfing nearby residents who were attempting to scoop fuel.
According to Abdullahi Baba-Arah, Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, “A total number of 86 persons have been confirmed dead, with their corpses recovered and buried.” He further explained that the mass burial was conducted between 5 pm and 12 am, with the assistance of the Gurara Local Government Area authorities and volunteers.
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, visited the scene of the explosion and subsequently banned vehicles coming from the Maje axis from passing through the Dikko bridge. In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, the governor directed the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps to establish a detachment in the area to ensure the enforcement of the directive.
President Bola Tinubu expressed deep sorrow over the incident, stating, “I mourn the victims and express my condolences to the families affected, as well as to the government and people of Niger State.” He directed relevant agencies to provide comprehensive medical care to the injured and instructed security and road safety authorities to implement measures to prevent similar incidents.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari also extended his condolences, saying, “I express disappointment that the practice of scooping up fuel is becoming common despite warnings from the authorities and the devastating losses of life that have characteristically attended such incidents.”
Vice President Kashim Shettima commiserated with the families of the victims, assuring them of the Federal Government’s commitment to preventing future occurrences.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, lamented the loss of lives, calling for a proper investigation into the accident.
The Northern Governors’ Forum, chaired by Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya, expressed sorrow over the tanker explosion, noting that such accidents have far-reaching consequences.
The Southern Governors’ Forum, chaired by Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, described the tanker fire explosion as a “devastating tragedy.”
National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, described the incident as a “heartbreaking tragedy” that has caused immense pain to families and communities across Niger State.
The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed, urged fuel tanker operators to strictly adhere to safety standards when handling and transporting petroleum products.
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 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.
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