Many residents in Niger State are believed to have died while rushing to gather petroleum when a petrol tanker spilt its contents on the tarmac road.
Many more were reported to have obtained varying degrees of injuries.
The event occurred on Saturday morning at Dikko Junction on the motorway between Niger and Kaduna states.
It was reported that quickly after the speeding tanker toppled and spilt its contents, people raced to the site to scoop up the liquid.
It was while they were scooping the fuel that the tanker exploded and burnt many of the residents who were scooping the fuel, while those who were not so close to the tanker escaped with injuries.
The Chief Press Secretary to the State Governor, Mohammed Bago, Bologi Ibrahim, who was on the governor’s entourage to Suleja and Tafa Local Government Areas to inspect the government’s projects, confirmed the incident to our correspondent.
Ibrahim mentioned that the governor called for caution from road users.
He mentioned that the governor expressed shock at the incident and called on security agents to ensure there was adequate security while other humanitarian agents were working to restore normalcy in the area.
“Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago expresses shock over a tanker explosion that claimed several lives in Dikko Junction, around the Abuja-Kaduna motorway.
“The governor describes the explosion as worrisome, heartbreaking, and unfortunate. He specifically sympathises with the families of the victims of the explosion and prays that Allah will repose the souls of the departed and heal the injured. The governor, however, cautioned the people to always be responsible and give priority to their safety.
“He directed all the relevant ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to do what is necessary while urging security agents to ensure security in the area.
“A premium motor spirit, popularly called a petrol tanker, was said to have exploded at Dikko Junction this morning, after which some residents of the area went to scoop its content.
“Scores were said to have been burnt to death, while several others sustained various degrees of burn,” he stated.
