At least 60 people were killed and others injured in Nigeria’s northern state of Niger on Saturday when a fuel tanker truck overturned, spilling petrol that exploded, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said.
The incident happened around 10 am on Saturday at Dikko Junction on the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway in Gurara local government area of Niger State.
The tanker exploded and many of the residents who were scooping fuel when it fell were burnt to death while those who were not so close to the tanker escaped with injuries.
The FRSC Sector Commander in the state, Kumar Tsukwam, stated that rescue operation was ongoing and all safety measures for road users have been put in place as the gridlock along Abuja-Kaduna highway has been controlled.
Bologi Ibrahim, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Mohammed Bago, who was on the governor’s entourage to Suleja and Tafa Local Government Areas to inspect the state government’s projects, told a local news outlet that the state governor expressed shock over the incident.
“Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, expresses shock over a tanker explosion that claimed several lives in Dikko junction, around the Abuja-Kaduna expressway,” Ibrahim said in a statement to The Punch newspaper.
“The governor describes the explosion as worrisome, heartbreaking and unfortunate. He specifically sympathises with the families of the victims of the explosion and prays that Allah will repose the souls of the departed and heal the injured. The governor, however, cautioned the people to always be responsible and give priority to their safety.
“He directed all the relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to do what is necessary while urging security agents to ensure security in the area.
“A Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol tanker, was said to have exploded at Dikko junction this morning, after which some residents of the area went to scoop its content.
“Scores were said to have been burnt to death, while several others sustained various degrees of burnt.”
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