Tinubu Govt Mourns Niger Tanker Explosion Victims As Death Toll Rises To 86, With 55 Injured

BY BONNY AMADI

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu-led government has offered its condolences to the government and people of Niger State following the devastating petrol tanker explosion at Dikko Junction in Gurara Local Government Area on Saturday.

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof. Nantewe Yilwatda, in a statement released on Sunday, described the incident as “tragic” and acknowledged the significant loss of life and extensive property damage it caused.

The statement issued in Abuja by Rhoda Iliya, the ministry’s Information Officer read, “I am deeply saddened by the frequent occurrence of tanker explosions in the country, which always leads to loss of lives, injuries, and property damage,” Yilwatda said.

“I share in the pain of the community who lost their loved ones in this devastating incident.”

He also offered his condolences to the families of the victims and wished the injured persons a speedy recovery.

The minister praised Governor Umaro Bago of Niger State and his team for their swift response to the crisis. He specifically commended the efforts of the State Emergency Management Agency, Fire Service, and Federal Road Safety Corps, who worked together to evacuate victims from the scene.

The minister also expressed gratitude to the Nigeria Police Force and other concerned Nigerians who lent a helping hand in the evacuation efforts.

Meanwhile, the Director- General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Mr. Abdullahi Baba-Arah, has confirmed that the petrol tanker explosion resulted in 86 deaths.

A mass burial was held for 80 of the victims, while the remaining six were claimed by their families for private burial.

Additionally, 55 people were injured in the incident, and unfortunately, one of the injured individuals succumbed to their injuries at the healthcare facility in Dikko.

“A total of 86 persons have been confirmed dead, with their corpses recovered and buried.

“Eighty of them were buried in a mass grave at Dikko Primary Healthcare Centre premises, while five were taken by their relatives for burial in the town, and one died at Dikko Primary Healthcare Centre.

“The mass burial was carried out by NSEMA in collaboration with Gurara LGA and courageous volunteers between the hours of 5pm and midnight.

“The number of injured now stands at 55, with one death re- corded at Dikko PHC,” Baba-Arah stated.

The petrol reportedly came into contact with a generator being used for a fuel transfer, sparking the explosion.

The Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, earlier instructed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to initiate an investigation into the tanker explosion incident.