…FRSC reveals cause of accident
• Gov Bago shocked, visits scene, bans use of one-way by tankers, others in state
• State records over 6 different explosions resulting from petrol tanker accidents between 2019 and 2025
From John Adams, Minna
The Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC), Niger State Sector Command, has confirmed that over 60 bodies burnt beyond recognition have so far been recovered from the scene of yesterday’s fuel tanker fire at Dikko junction along Abuja-Kaduna highway in Gurara Local Government Area of the state.
Giving details of the accident that occurred at about 10:00a.m, the state Sector Commander, Kumar Tsukwan, said that the tanker with registration number KBG 103 XA marked HMY Oil and Gas and driven by one Mohammed Madu was conveying 60,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), when the accident occurred.
He said that the body of the tanker detached from the head leading to it falling and in the process spilling its content on the ground, adding that “large crowd gathered to scoop fuel despite concerted efforts to stop them. Suddenly the tanker bursted into flame”.
He disclosed that so far no fewer than 60 bodies have been recovered from the scene of the accident, adding that several others who sustained various degrees of burnt have been evacuated to the hospital.
According to an eyewitness, the petrol tanker which was heading for a far northern state from Lagos suddenly got stuck on a bad spot of the road right at the junction and in an attempt by the driver to manoeuver his way through, the tanker overturned, spilling its content all over the road.
He noted that tragedy struck when the youths in the area scrambled to scoop the fuel from the fallen petrol tanker and suddenly it exploded into flame, killing many of them and other passersby.
Vehicles, motorcycles, shops and other businesses worth millions of naira were also destroyed by the fire while scores who sustained various degrees of burnt are currently being treated in a government facilities in the area.
Meanwhile, the state governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has expressed shock over the fuel tanker explosion, describing it as sad and unfortunate.
The governor in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, said that frequent fuel tanker accidents and explosions, leading to loss of innocent lives, are not only worrisome, but also heartbreaking.
He sympathized with the families of the victims of the explosion and prayed that Allah will grant the souls of the departed eternal rest as well as 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 that the area is secured.
He equally cautioned the people to always be responsible and give priority to their safety.
Fuel tanker explosion has become a reoccurring incident in some parts of the state with over six different explosions resulting from petrol tanker accidents occurring between 2019 and 2025, killing over 100 people and property worth hundreds of millions destroyed.
For instance, in 2019 alone, three different deadly accidents involving fuel tankers occurred where lives were lost and property 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 property destroyed.
The mother of all the explosions occurred in the same Dikko junction along Abuja-Kaduna on May 9, 2019 where about 26 people lost their lives, 35 shops razed and 19 vehicles, mostly commercial, were burnt.
Worried by the frequent petrol tanker accidents on the state 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.
Niger State government has directed that henceforth no vehicle, especially tankers, trailers and other articulated vehicles, should be allowed to follow one-way on any road in the state.
The governor particularly frowned at the indiscriminate way vehicles are allowed to violate traffic rules by following one-way thereby disrupting traffic and causing accidents.
Governor Bago gave the directive yesterday when he visited the scene of the tanker explosion at Dikko junction, where over 60 persons died.
The farmer governor, who decried the recklessness of some drivers said that it is not acceptable for any vehicle coming from Maje end of the road to follow one-way through the bridge which was the case that resulted in the tanker accident.
He enjoined the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps to establish a detachment in the area to ensure the enforcement of the directive.
He, therefore, called on all relevant transport unions to cooperate with the FRSC on the new directives.
He described the tanker explosion as pathetic, but thanked God that the tragic incident did not extend to the adjoining communities.
He called on the Federal Government to expedite action to complete the Minna-Suleja road as the delay in the road project is contributing to the continuous loss of many lives.
The governor commended the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NISEMA), Fire Service, Road Safety, National Union of Road Transport (NURTW), among other agencies that contributed to the evacuation of victims.
He said doctors from Minna Hospitals will be redeployed to assist in treating the injured victims currently receiving treatment in Suleja General Hospital.