The death toll from the tanker explosion that occurred on Saturday in Niger State has risen to 98, with 69 others injured. The tragic incident took place at Dikko Junction in Gurara Local Government Area, where the explosion triggered a massive fire that consumed properties, including 20 shops.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) confirmed the devastating toll, revealing that, as of yesterday afternoon, 98 lives had been lost. The agency’s Director General, Abdullahi Baba Arah, provided an update, stating that, in addition to the fatalities, 69 people were injured, and several properties worth millions of naira were destroyed.
Tragically, 10 more patients suffering from severe burns have since died in hospitals. Seven of the victims passed away at the General Hospital in Suleja, while three others died at the General Hospital in Sabon-Wuse.
In response to the disaster, the Niger State Government has deployed an 18-member multi-disciplinary medical team to treat the victims. The state’s governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has also ordered free medical services for all the fire victims.
Following the incident, President Bola Tinubu directed that the most severely injured victims be transferred to tertiary medical centers in Abuja for advanced care. A number of the patients have been admitted to hospitals in Gwagwalada and other facilities, where their conditions are being monitored.
The tragedy has sparked widespread concern, with various groups, including the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), calling for urgent measures to prevent future occurrences. JNI condemned the rising number of accidents caused by tankers carrying petroleum products, urging authorities to implement stricter safety regulations.
In a show of solidarity, the Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) also expressed condolences to the victims’ families, while the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) mourned the loss of life and condemned the unsafe practices surrounding tanker accidents.
Authorities have pledged to continue monitoring the situation and providing updates as emergency operations persist.
