The Federal Government expresses its deep sorrow over the tragic petrol tanker explosion that occurred in Essa, Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State, a few days ago, which claimed innocent lives and left several others injured.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris who on behalf of the Federal Government in a statement joined the Government and people of Niger State in mourning this painful loss.
He said the FG is saddened that, despite sustained public sensitization, repeated warnings about the dangers of scooping fuel from fallen tankers, some citizens still take such life-threatening risks.
“Every Nigerian life is precious, and such avoidable tragedies serve as a painful reminder of the need for greater vigilance and adherence to safety instructions in times of emergency.
“This heartbreaking incident has once again brought to the fore the devastating human and material consequences of fuel tanker accidents in our communities.
“We commend the swift response of the Niger State Government, security agencies, and emergency responders who promptly mobilized to contain the fire, rescue survivors, and provide support to affected families. 
“The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has also been directed to complement ongoing efforts by the State Government in providing relief and medical assistance to victims and their families”.
The Federal Government also directed the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to sustain and intensify nationwide public awareness campaigns on safety measures, particularly in rural and high-risk communities, to prevent the recurrence of such tragedies.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and the entire people of Niger State in this moment of grief. May the souls of the departed rest in peace, and may God grant their loved ones the strength to bear this painful loss”, he concluded. 
In another development, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has expressed sympathy to his Niger State counterpart, Governor Mohammed Bago, the government and people of Niger State over the unfortunate incident.
Sanwo-Olu, who is the Chairman of the South-West Governors Forum, also condoled with families of the victims over a lone tanker vehicle accident along the Bida/Agaie highway.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Akosile, on Wednesday, said the incident is worrisome and pathetic.
He said: “It is with a heavy heart that I read and followed the development of the disaster that happened yesterday along the Bida/Agaie highway in Niger State following the explosion of a petrol-laden tanker that reportedly claimed about 35 persons. He said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with my brother, Governor Mohammed Bago, the Government and the people of Niger State, as well as the deceased families and victims of the sad incident.
“I pray for the repose of the deceased and ask that the Almighty God grant the families of the victims the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. I wish those receiving treatment a quick recovery.”
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar who was saddened at the perennial loss of lives from this avoidable tragedies said the continued weaponisation of poverty in the country also ensured that many were killed as they attempted to scoop fuel from the fallen vehicle.
He expressed his profound condolences to the families and friends of those who may have lost a loved one, and the govt and people of Niger State. “May they be comforted, and may the souls of the deceased find eternal rest.“No resources should be spared in providing medical care for the injured. As a critical transport artery, the Bida- Baddegi-Agaie Road is the only route of moving petroleum products from Lagos and other southern areas to Northern Nigeria.
“Thus, the pressure on the road coupled with its poor state has made it a graveyard of sorts. Its rehabilitation and the rehabilitation of other critical road infrastructure projects need to be prioritized”, he added.
The 2023 Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi while reacting on X said it’s painful that poverty continues to drive our people into situations where they must dangerously risk their lives to survive. “Even more heartbreaking is that tragedies like this occur almost daily across our nation”.
He extended his deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones, to the affected communities, and to the govt of Niger State, saying the loss of Nigerian lives has become so frequent that it is often met with silence and indifference from those in authority. “We cannot continue this way. I appeal once again that we, the leaders, must show greater empathy, compassion, and a deep sense of responsibility.
We must remain committed to building a nation that truly values its people—where every life is treated with dignity. These recurring tragedies should awaken us to our collective responsibility to build a Nigeria where no one has to die simply trying to live.
“May the souls of all who lost their lives rest in peace, and may their families find comfort and strength”, Peter Obi prayed.
Meanwhile, it was reported that thirty persons were feared dead while forty others sustained various degrees of burns.This as a result of scooping petroleum products from a petrol tanker involved in an accident on Tuesday morning along Essa and Badeggi communities, between Bida and Agaie in Katcha Local Government area of Niger State.
The victims were reportedly scooping petroleum products when the tragedy struck at about eleven O’ clock in the morning, leaving survivors, currently at a medical facility in the area with various degrees of burns, while scores were burnt beyond recognition.
The ill-fated tanker was reported to be coming from Lagos to the Northern part of the country, when the accident occurred and residents mobilized themselves and started scooping the products.
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, who has since reacted to the sad development, described it as worrisome, unfortunate and very pathetic and also extended his sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives and the injured.
