Tanker Explosion Claims 35 Lives In Niger

Barely a year after the Tanker explosion that killed over 100 people in Dikko junction in Niger state, another explosion has killed 35 people and injured several others at Essa on the  Agaie- Baddegi road, in the Katcha local government area of the state.

LEADERSHIP findings revealed that the accident occurred around Essa village when the  tanker somersaulted.

Eyewitness accounts from the village revealed that the fatality of the accident that occurred around 11 am yesterday would  have been less if victims had listened to advice not to scoop petrol from the fallen tanker.

Consequently, it was learnt that the dead victims were mostly those scooping the product before the explosion.

Confirming the incident to LEADERSHIP, Niger State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Aisha Saadu, said, “So far, 35 lives have been lost. My men are still at the scene, carrying the victims for medical attention.”

She said, “The details of the accident are still sketchy; what we are doing now is to rescue the victims for quick medical attention.”

Also confirming the incident, Abdullah Baba Arah, the Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), said that they were helping with the rescue operations.

Niger State Chairman of Tanker Drivers (TD), Comrade Farouk Mohammed Kawo, who is also an ex officio member of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), confirmed the accident, saying that the tanker was coming from Lagos to Niger State, carrying petrol.

He lamented that over 30 lorries had been involved in accidents this month in that particular area of the road,  which is in bad shape.

Kawo said,“Just last Sunday, a tanker carrying groundnut oil had an accident and its product was scooped in the same area”, he stated.

Meanwhile, Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has extended condolences to the people of Essa over the tanker explosion that claimed the lives of several people.

In a statement through his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, the governor described the incident as worrisome, unfortunate, and pathetic.

Bago said, “This is yet another painful, difficult, and tragic one for the people and the state government.”

“It is disheartening how people have continued to approach a fallen tanker to scoop its contents despite several sensitistion on the danger of such action”, he added.

The governor enjoined the people to value their lives no matter the situation, while commending the management and staff of the Federal Road Safety Corps FRSC and the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) for their prompt intervention.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has expressed sadness over the tanker explosion that occurred in Katcha local government area of Niger State, where 38 persons were reportedly killed.

The Forum, in a statement signed by its chairman and Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, commiserated with the people and government of Niger State, especially the families of the victims and His Excellency, Governor Mohammed Umar Bago.

“Our sympathies are with every family affected in this unfortunate incident. We commend all the emergency responders for their humanitarian assistance to the victims.

“This disaster again calls attention to safety issues in every aspect of our lives. This is particularly important in how combustible items are stored and transported at every stage,” the forum said.