Minister Mourns Niger Tanker Explosion Victims

Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, expressed his heartfelt condolences to the Niger State government and families of the over 80 persons who lost their lives when a fallen fuel tanker exploded on Saturday at Dikko Junction, Gurara local government area, Niger State.

While wishing a speedy recovery to more than 50 persons who suffered varying degrees of injuries, including burns, Dr Abdullahi, however, praised the efforts of various emergency responders in evacuating the injured and de-escalating the spread of the inferno.

The minister of state expressed deep sadness over the recurrent incidents of fuel tanker crashes on highways, with the resultant human casualties, severe injuries, and destruction of adjoining properties. He recalled that barely four months ago, in September 2024, a ghastly fuel tanker crash claimed several lives on Agaie-Lapai Road, also in Niger State.

“Sorrow should not be our routine experience over frequent fuel tanker crashes on our roads,” the state minister said. “Scores are often killed in these incidents, and the spectacle of mass burial of the victims burnt beyond recognition is a wake-up call to all stakeholders to avert these types of occurrences.”

Senator Abdullahi, an indigene of Niger State and the Baraden Borgu, noted that as a bridge between the northern and southern parts of the country, Niger State takes a heavy burden of axial load of haulage trucks.

He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, for the renewed commitment to complete the reconstruction, within the next 14 months, of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano dual carriageway, which passes through Niger State.

According to the Minister of State, “Part of what is urgently needed are advocacy programmes undertaken by stakeholders to address fallen fuel tanker issues because no part of the country is insulated from the gory incidents.

“Communities need to enlighten their members on the precautions to take whenever an incident involves a fuel tanker. In particular, they must be reminded that fuel is highly volatile and that no amount of spilt fuel they are trying to scoop is worth the tragedy that usually lurks around, “Abdullahi observed.

He also called on Road Transport Owners and Workers, especially those hauling hazardous materials such as fuel, to organise frequent refresher programmes for their drivers, apprentices, and all those involved in the delivery chain.