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Governor Bago condoles with victims’ families
From John Adams, Minna
Over 60 people were said to have been roasted to death in the popular Dikko junction along the ever-busy Abuja-Kaduna highway in the Gurara local government of Niger State when a petrol-laden tanker capsized in the early morning of Saturday.
Eyewitnesses said the petrol tanker, which was heading from Lagos to a far northern state, suddenly got stuck on a bad spot of the road right at the junction, and in an attempt by the driver to manoeuvre his way through it, it led to the tanker overturning and its content spilling over the road.
Tragedy however struck when youths in the area scrambled to scoop the fuel from the fallen petrol tanker when suddenly it exploded into flame, killing unspecified number of the scoopers and other passerby. Vehicles, motorcycles, Shops and other businesses worth millions of naira where all affected by the inferno.
Unspecified number of people equally sustained various degree of burnt from the inferno, and are currently being treated in a government facilities in the area.
Meanwhile State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago expresses shock over the fuel tanker explosion, describing it sad and unfortunate.
The Governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, said the frequent fuel tanker accident and explosion, leading to loss of innocent lives is not only worrisome but heartbreaking.
He then sympathized with the families of the victims of the explosion and prays that Allah will grant the souls of the departed eternal rest and heal the injured.
While directing all the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to respond to the disaster and do what is necessary, he urged the relevant Security Agents to ensure the area.
He equally cautioned the people to always be responsible and give priority to their safety.
Fuel tanker explosion has become a reoccurring incident in parts of the state with over sex different explosions resulting from petrol tanker accidents occurred between 2019 to date, killing over 100 people and properties worth hundreds of millions destroyed.
For instance, in 2019 alone, three different deadly accidents involving fuel tankers occurred where lives were lost and properties destroyed. Also in 2020, between July and October, three fuel tanker accidents occurred at different parts of the state with scores of people killed, several others injured and properties destroyed.
The mother of explosion occurred in the same Dikko junction along Abuja-Kaduna in May 9th, 2019 where about 26 people lost their lives, 35 shops razed and 19 vehicles, mostly commercial were burnt down.
Worried by the frequent petrol tanker accidents on its highway and the attendant loss of lives, the former Governor of the state, Alhaji Sani Bello threatened to ban petrol tankers from plying the state highways with violators risking jail term or a fine of N500, 000.
The law however did not come to effect until the expiration of his tenure in 2023.