At least 50 people lost their lives in a petrol tanker explosion on Saturday along the Dikko-Maje road, opposite Badeggi fuelling station, in the Suleja local government area of Niger state.
Mr. Kumar Tsukwam, Federal Road Safety Commander (FRSC) in Niger, confirmed the tragic incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna. He explained that a petrol tanker overturned at the scene, with people attempting to scoop the spilled fuel, unaware of the danger.
Those who tried to collect the fuel were caught in the flames, as were some who attempted to rescue them. Tsukwam stated that over 50 people lost their lives in the explosion. He assured that personnel from the Federal Road Safety Corps and other agencies were on-site to assist with the rescue efforts.
Alhaji Abdullahi Baba-Arah, Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), confirmed that the explosion occurred around 9 a.m. on Saturday. He stated that the incident began when a tanker carrying Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) crashed. While attempting to transfer its contents to another tanker, the fuel came into contact with a generator, sparking the explosion.
Baba-Arah added that many others were injured, and properties worth millions of Naira were destroyed in the blast. He mentioned that NSEMA, in partnership with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Suleja LGA Emergency Committee, and volunteers, is carrying out search, rescue, and recovery operations.
The injured have been taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, and efforts to recover the bodies of the deceased are ongoing. Baba-Arah urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with emergency responders as they work to manage the situation.
Further details are expected as the operation continues.
