Death toll hits 98 in Niger tanker explosion as government orders probe

The death toll from last weekend’s devastating fuel tanker explosion in Niger State has climbed to 98, with dozens more injured.

The tragic incident occurred on Saturday in Gurara Local Government Area when a fuel tanker lost control, crashed, and spilled its highly flammable contents.

In a statement issued on Monday in Minna, the Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba-Arah, confirmed the updated figures.

He revealed that 69 individuals sustained injuries of varying degrees, while the inferno destroyed more than 20 shops in the area, further compounding the tragedy for the local community.

Emergency services were immediately deployed to the scene, but the scale of the disaster has overwhelmed local resources.

“Our teams worked tirelessly to manage the situation, but the loss of lives and property is staggering. The injuries are severe, and many victims are in critical condition,” said Baba-Arah.

The disaster has reignited concerns about safety regulations and enforcement in the transport and handling of hazardous materials in Nigeria.

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President Bola Tinubu has responded by establishing a high-level investigative committee to address the alarming frequency of tanker explosions on Nigerian highways.

The committee is tasked with identifying the root causes of these incidents, proposing measures to prevent future occurrences, and holding accountable those who may have violated safety standards.

Transportation safety experts and civil society organizations have called for urgent reforms to prevent similar disasters. “The recurring tanker explosions highlight systemic failures in road safety enforcement, infrastructure, and tanker maintenance,” said Professor Emmanuel Udo, a transport policy analyst.

He added, “There needs to be stricter regulation of fuel transportation, mandatory safety training for drivers, and a review of road conditions, especially in high-risk areas like Niger State.”

Residents of Gurara have expressed grief and anger over the incident, demanding immediate government intervention to address the root causes of such disasters. Many families are mourning the loss of loved ones while also grappling with the destruction of their livelihoods.

A local shop owner, Amina Garba, who lost her business in the fire, lamented, “This tragedy has taken everything from us. We need help to rebuild and protect our community from future disasters.”

The incident adds to a growing list of fuel tanker explosions across Nigeria, a nation heavily reliant on road transport for fuel distribution. According to safety watchdogs, inadequate road infrastructure, poorly maintained tankers, and driver negligence are recurring factors in such tragedies.

The high-level committee is expected to deliver its findings and recommendations within weeks.

Meanwhile, President Tinubu has assured Nigerians that the government is committed to implementing necessary reforms to ensure public safety.