There is no letup in the grief that has enveloped Dikko community in Niger State as the death toll from the tanker explosion has continued to rise.

An update by the state Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), yesterday, put the death toll at 98. Its director general, Alhaji Abdullahi Baba-Arah, also said that 69 people were injured and 20 shops burnt.

The tanker explosion occurred on Saturday morning at about 9am, along the Dikko-Maje road opposite Baddegi fuelling station in Gurara Local Government Area.

The incident occurred when a tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) crashed and an attempt was made to transfer its contents to another tanker.

In the process, the PMS came into contact with a generator used to power the transfer process, triggering an explosion that claimed many, injured many, and destroyed properties worth millions of naira.

The incident had sparked widespread condemnation and sympathy from various quarters.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government said 22 victims have been admitted into the Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital and the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, Abuja in line with the directive of President Bola Tinubu for the swift transfer of the injured to tertiary medical centres for enhanced medical attention.

“All the patients were accompanied by a nurse and family members to the designated referral centers to ensure seamless care, a statement by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, Rabiu Ibrahim, said.

PDP seeks measures to stem reccurrence

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, yesterday, urged the Federal Government to put in safety measures to prevent the recurrence of the tragic incident on Nigeria roads.

It said the incident has added to the ugly wave of tragic occurrences that had befallen the nation due to the deplorable state of infrastructure in the country.

He said it was disheartening that Nigerians, especially the youths and breadwinners of homes, continue to die on the highways and bear ugly scars as victims of bad governance.

PDP called on the Federal Government not to stop only at investigating the remote and immediate causes of the tragedy and similar incidents in the recent time.

It also called on the government to take immediate steps to address the situation that led to the sad occurrences.

“The Federal Government should take steps to put adequate measures to ensure safer roads so as to prevent the re-occurrence of such tragic incidents in the country.

“The PDP, however, commends the efforts and courage of the police, firefighters, the Federal Road Safety Corps and other agencies and patriotic Nigerians who helped to control the fire and rescued some of the victims.

“The PDP commiserates with the families of the victims, the Government and people of Niger State and prays to God to grant speedy recovery to the injured and fortitude to the families of the deceased at this trying time.’’

•Kano, Kebbi govs, northern senators mourn

Governors Abba Kabir Yusuf and Nasir Idris of Kano and Kebbi states, respectively, have expressed profound sorrow and extended heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Niger State.

Describing the loss as a national tragedy, Governor Yusuf lamented the avoidable nature of the incident and called for urgent measures to prevent similar occurrences.

“This heartbreaking event is a grim reminder of the fragility of human life and the need for collective responsibility in ensuring safety.”

The governor emphasised the need for public enlightenment on the dangers of scooping fuel from accident scenes and called on relevant authorities to enforce safety measures on highways to protect lives.

Governor Yusuf reaffirmed his commitment to supporting efforts that prioritize the safety and well-being of all citizens, urging Nigerians to remain vigilant and prioritize caution in such situations.

Governor, in a condolence message, described the explosion as sad and ugly.

He appealed to members of the affected families to accept the will of God Almighty in good faith.

While praying to Almighty Allah to put an end to recurrence of such ugly development, Idris also prayed for quick recovery of those who sustained varying degrees of injuries and urged Nigerians to be cautious of their lives, especially in the event of fuel tanker accidents.

Northern Senators knock NYSC, other

The Northern Senators Forum, in a condolence message, said the devastating incident highlights the need for greater vigilance and enforcement of safety regulations on our roads.

Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, chairman of the Forum and chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, also noted that the incident could have been avoided if the enforcement agencies had taken precautionary steps.

The committee called on relevant agencies, including the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to ensure that all tankers and heavy-duty vehicles are roadworthy and adhere to strict safety standards.

“The enormous damage caused by such breakdowns is unacceptable and preventable. We also urge Nigerians to refrain from scooping fuel in the event of such incidents as it can have devastating consequences.

“As we mourn the loss of lives, the Forum offers its sincerest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. May God grant the souls of all that was lost eternal rest.”

Too many, worrisome – JNI

The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has called for an urgent action to prevent the recurrence of the explosion of tankers conveying petroleum products across Nigeria.

In a statement by its Secretary General, Prof. Khalid Aliyu in Kaduna, the association said: ”The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, has received the sad news with utmost concern and shock.

He said the gory incident was an addition to the series of many others of such obnoxious explosions in recent times.

“It is so unfortunate that tankers conveying petroleum products are now sources of disastrous road accidents, with agonising loss of lives and property in Nigeria.

“The Dikko junction incident is too much of a tragedy to be waived, taking into account that the junction is on a major highway connecting Northern Nigeria, particularly the North-West to Southern Nigeria.

“More so, the same episodes had occurred in the most recent past in Jigawa twice.”

He said the unfortunate October 15 fuel tanker explosion in Majiya, Jigawa,was said to have claimed over 200 persons, injuring many.

Also, on November 12, another tanker exploded at Gamoji, along h Kano-Maiduguri Highway, claiming many lives.

Aloyu added that a similar tragedy occurred on January 14, at Epe-Ijebu Odeyemi Expressway.

”Sometime in 2023 at Iganmu Bridge, Lagos State, many vehicles were destroyed and lives lost, arising from a petroleum tanker explosion.

“JNI is genuinely worried over the serial explosions from petroleum tankers, without any seeming efforts by the relevant stakeholders to address the misnomer.”

The JNI called on governments to take immediate action to prevent future tragedies, including taking control of dangerous bends, sharp curves and parking lots prone to accidents.

According to Aliyu, other actions are establishing FRSC emergency detachments and Federal Fire Service offices with the state-of-the-art equipment.

”There is also the need to review the extant safety protocols guiding fuel transportation and enhancing surveillance on the explosion-prone highways.

“Nigerians should always avoid explosion-prone areas to reduce casualty, no matter the temptation for assumed loot, no life is worth losing carelessly.“

Aliyu also called on the relevant transport and road unions to begin sensitising their members on the dangers associated with reckless driving.

“This is especially one-way driving, which has now become too common on the Nigerian highways and they should always cooperate with the security agencies on the highways;

“Governments at all levels, in collaboration with the different security agencies, should be up and doing against the recklessness of all drivers plying major highways.

”This is most especially the tanker drivers, as desperate situations need desperate measures,

“Governments should act beyond mere verbal condemnations on related matters.

”Nigerians are desirous of more concrete actions against all forms of unfortunate incidents, criminals and criminality,” he said.

JNI called on the Federal Government to review the safety protocols guiding fuel transportation in Nigeria.

He stated that the repeated explosions call for a serious review, while surveillance should maximally be accorded to explosion-prone highways.

Aliyu also appealed to the Federal Government to expedite action in completing the 40-km Suleja to Minna dual carriageway connecting Abuja and Niger.

He said that the project has been ongoing for over 20 years, saying, ”completing it will ease the movement of goods and services as well as save lives.

“The Sultan of Sokoto prayed for the departed souls, seeking Allah’s infinite mercy and solace for the bereaved families.”

Peter Obi want safety measures in place

Writing on his X handle, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, called for stricter safety measures to avert persisting accident.

“The tragic petrol tanker explosion that occurred along Dikko-Maje Road in the Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State on Saturday is truly heartbreaking….”

“These accidents, which have sadly become increasingly recurrent in recent times, highlight the urgent need for the implementation of stricter safety measures to address the dangers of tanker explosions and similar incidents, which often result in colossal disasters.

“I sincerely commiserate with the families who lost their loved ones in the tragedy. I also extend my condolences to the Government and people of Niger State over this devastating incident.

“May God grant them, and all of us, the fortitude to bear this loss, eternal rest to the departed, and a swift recovery to the injured.”

Credit: The Sun Nigeria