The death toll from the petrol tanker explosion at Dikko Junction in Niger State on Saturday has risen to 86, with 55 others injured and hospitalized.
Initially, the death toll was reported as 70, with 50 injured. However, additional bodies have since been recovered and have been given a mass burial in Dikko, Niger State.
Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) Director-General Abdullahi Baba-Arah confirmed the update in a statement on Sunday. He revealed that the mass burial took place between 5 pm and midnight, with the agency working alongside Gurara Local Government Area and local volunteers.
“Out of the 86 confirmed dead, 80 were buried in a mass grave at Dikko Primary Healthcare Centre, five were taken by their families for burial in the town, and one passed away at the healthcare centre,” Baba-Arah said.
A speeding fuel tanker crashed at Dikko Junction, situated between Niger and Kaduna states, spilling fuel onto the road. Some residents attempted to collect the spilled fuel when the tanker exploded in a massive blaze, killing both those gathering fuel and those trying to help.
Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State visited the scene on Saturday and issued a ban on vehicles coming from the Maje axis from passing over the Dikko Bridge. Instead, he directed them to use the underpass and take the appropriate U-turn.
In a statement, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, confirmed the directive and urged the Federal Road Safety Corps to set up a detachment in the area to enforce it. He also called for cooperation from relevant transport unions.
Governor Bago expressed appreciation to NSEMA, the Fire Service, the Federal Road Safety Corps, and the Union of Road Transport Workers for their efforts in evacuating the victims. Additionally, he announced the redeployment of doctors from Minna hospitals to assist in treating the injured at Suleja General Hospital.
