By By: Alphanso G. Kalama;
A devastating fuel tanker explosion at Dikko Junction in Niger State, Nigeria, has claimed 86 lives, with 55 others injured and hospitalized. The tragedy occurred on Saturday morning when a speeding tanker crashed and spilled petrol onto the road. Local residents, attempting to scoop the fuel, were caught in a massive blaze as the tanker exploded, killing both those collecting the fuel and bystanders trying to rescue others.
The death toll, initially reported as 70 with 50 injured, rose as more bodies were recovered from the scene. Abdullahi Baba-Arah, Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), confirmed that all victims had been given a mass burial. “The mass burial was carried out by NSEMA in collaboration with Gurara LGA and courageous volunteers between 5 p.m. and midnight,” he stated on Sunday.
In response to the tragedy, Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago visited the site and imposed an immediate ban on vehicles from the Maje axis using the Dikko Bridge. The governor directed that all such vehicles must instead use the underpass for proper U-turns, decrying the reckless behavior of some drivers that contributed to the disaster. “No vehicle coming from the Maje axis will be allowed to pass over the Dikko Bridge,” the governor said.
To ensure compliance, the governor instructed the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to establish a detachment in the area and urged transport unions to cooperate fully with enforcement measures. He also commended the swift response of emergency services, including NSEMA, the Fire Service, FRSC, and transport unions, in evacuating victims.
As part of the recovery effort, medical personnel from Minna hospitals have been redeployed to assist in treating injured victims currently receiving care at Suleja General Hospital. This tragic incident highlights ongoing concerns over road safety and the dangers posed by fuel tanker accidents in Nigeria, prompting renewed calls for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations.
Credit: Punch Newspaper
