The death toll in the Dikko tanker explosion has risen to 86, with 80 of the victims buried in a mass grave.
Alhaji Abdullahi Baba-Arah, the Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Sunday.
He said five of the victims were carried away by their relatives for burial, while one died at the Dikko Primary Healthcare Centre.
Baba-Arah said that the mass burial was carried out by NSEMA in collaboration with authorities of the Gurara Local Government Area and volunteers.
He confirmed that the number of injured persons was now 55.
NAN recalls that the tanker explosion occurred on Saturday morning on the Dikko-Maje road in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State.
The incident happened when a tanker loaded with petrol fell and an attempt was made to transfer its content.
NAN reported that some residents had besieged the fallen tanker, scooping fuel.
An attempt to switch on a generator to ease the transfer of the petrol triggered an explosion, resulting in the deaths and destruction of properties.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the fuel tanker explosion, which caused the death of over 80 people, with many also injured.
A statement issued on Sunday by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said President Tinubu mourned the victims and expressed his condolences to the families affected, as well as to the government and people of the state.
He underscored the tragic and preventable nature of the incident, as many victims were those scooping Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from the overturned tanker.
The president has directed the provision of comprehensive medical care to the injured and instructed security and road safety authorities to implement measures to avert similar incidents.
According to the statement, Tinubu advised all citizens to exercise caution and avoid approaching accident sites, especially those involving fuel-laden vehicles, due to their highly explosive nature.
Additionally, the president has mandated the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to initiate a nationwide educational campaign.
It said this campaign will raise public awareness about the severe risks and environmental dangers of scooping fuel from fallen tankers.
Also, Professor Nantewe Yilwatda, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, has described the incident in a statement on Sunday as tragic, noting that it claimed many lives and destroyed property.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the statement was issued in Abuja by Rhoda Iliya, the ministry’s Information officer.
The minister, expressing concern over the rising frequency of tanker explosions in the country, warned motorists against reckless driving that could endanger innocent lives.
Yilwatda urged them to strictly adhere to road traffic regulations at all times.
He also offered his condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
In a related development, the Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, on Sunday, expressed sadness over the tragic tanker explosion.
The NSGF Chairman, on behalf of his colleagues, conveyed his heartfelt sympathies to the government and people of Niger State, especially the families of those affected by the incident.
He noted that accident of this nature have far-reaching consequences, affecting not only the victims and their families, but also the entire nation.
“This tragic incident at Dikko junction is a heartbreaking incident that has left families and the nation in anguish. On behalf of the Northern governors, I extend our deepest condolences to the victims’ families and the people of Niger State
“We stand in solidarity with you and share in your grief. I also commend our brother, Governor Umar Bago and the relevant emergency agencies for their quick and decisive actions, which brought some relief amidst the tragedy,” Yahaya stated.
He prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and a quick recovery for those injured.
He called on relevant authorities and stakeholders in the transportation and petroleum industries to reinforce stricter safety measures in the transportation of flammable materials, to avoid similar tragedies in the future.
Also, Ogun State governor and Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has described the tanker fire explosion that claimed 86 lives and injured 55 others along the Dikko-Maje road in Suleja, Niger State, as a devastating tragedy.
In a statement issued in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Sunday, Abiodun, who said that the governments and the people of the southern states were deeply troubled by the tragedy, commiserated with Governor Mohammed Bago and his cabinet, as well as the people of Niger State, urging them not to allow their spirits to be dampened by the extremely tragic event.
He prayed for the repose of the souls of the victims of the fire while expressing hope that the injured will have speedy recovery and be back on their feet in the shortest possible time.
On his part, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has extended heartfelt condolences to the government and the people of Niger State following the tragic tanker explosion that occurred on Saturday.
The IGP, while stressing the importance of strict adherence to safety protocols on roads, warned against negligence and disregard for regulations that can lead to such incidents in the future.
The IGP, therefore, directed all state commissioners of police to strengthen their Motor Traffic Divisions (MTDs) of their respective state commands in collaboration with other traffic management agencies to ensure strict compliance and enforcement of established protocols and traffic regulations on highways.
The IGP charged vehicle owners and driver to ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy and abide by the traffic rules in order to prevent the lost of lives.
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