Tinubu, Buhari mourns as tanker explosion claimed over 80 lives

Report has it that several people lost their lives in a tragic Petrol tanker explosion that occurred at Dikko-Maje Junction along the Abuja-Kaduna Road in Suleja Local Govt Area of Niger State on Saturday, 18 Jan. 2025.

The Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba-Arah, confirmed 50 people died when a tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) crashed.

“While an attempt was made by the drivers to transfer its contents to a second tanker. In the process, spilling petrol came in contact with a generator that was used to power the transfer process.
“This triggered an explosion of flames that has caused over 50 deaths, injured many, and destroyed properties estimated in millions,” he said. Meanwhile, the Federal Road Safety Corps in Niger State put the death toll at 70.

Reacting to this tragic incident, the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expressed deep sorrow over the fuel tanker explosion, which he said has caused the death of over 80 people, with many also injured.

According to the statement released by the aide, the President mourned the victims and expressed his condolences to the families affected, as well as to the government and people of Niger 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 directed the provision of comprehensive medical care to the injured and instructed security and road safety authorities to implement measures to avert similar incidents.

Tinubu strongly 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 to initiate a nationwide educational campaign. This campaign will raise public awareness about the severe risks and environmental dangers of scooping fuel from fallen tankers.

The former President Muhammadu Buhari also expressed his heartfelt condolences on the loss of lives in a fire following a petroleum tanker accident.

Buhari expressed disappointment that the practice of scooping up fuel is becoming more common in spite of warnings from the authorities, and the devastating losses of life that had characteristically attended such incidents.

This was contained in a statement released by his aide on Sunday, while condoling with the government and the people of Niger State, the former President wished speedy recovery to the injured.