About a year after 48 people and 50 cows got burnt in an accident involving a petrol tanker and a truck along the Bida-Agaie-Lapai road in Lapai local government area of Niger state, a similar incident occurred on the same route Tuesday, killing 30 and injuring 40 others.
While commiserating with families of the victims, the state governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, described it as worrisome as unfortunate.
…In 2024
Precisely on the 8th of September, 2024, the 48 victims were confirmed dead in an explosion when a petrol tanker had a head-on collision with a truck filled with travellers and cattle from Wudil, Kano state.
The victims, who were burnt beyond recognition, it would be recalled, were reportedly given mass burial in the local government, Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) had said in a statement.
…The fresh incident
In the latest tragedy, Blueprint reports that 30 persons were killed and 40 others injured during a scooping spree by some residents.
The incident, it was gathered, occurred around 11.00 am while the victims were scooping petroleum products in Essan and Badeggi communities along Bida-Agaie road in Katcha local government area of the state.
An eyewitness account said: “The affected victims were involved in the scooping of petroleum products when the tanker suddenly exploded and burnt the victims, some beyond recognition,” adding that the injured were rushed to hospitals for treatment.
NSEMA Public Relations Officer (PRO) Ibrahim Hussaini confirmed the incident to Blueprint in a telephone interview.
He said: “Yes, I can confirm that the accident occurred today. There are many casualties and over 24 bodies have been counted so far. The actual casualties are still being ascertained. NSEMA will issue a situation report soon as our rescue operatives have been deployed to the scene.”
…NUPENG raises concerns
Also speaking on the accident, the state chairman and National Ex-officio of Tanker Drivers and Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) respectively, Comrade Farouk Mohammed Kawo said the tanker was coming from Lagos to the Northern part carrying petroleum product.
Kawo lamented that over 30 fuel tankers were involved in accidents within this month (of October) in that particular portion of the road, saying “it has become very bad for motorists plying the route.”
He said despite several warnings, youths in the community were always scooping fuel from their vehicles whenever accidents occurred.
The union leader recalled that last Sunday, fuel tanker carrying groundnut oil had an accident and its product was scooped in the same area.
The NUPENG boss appealed to the state government to urgently come to their aid by grading the particular area, to ease their movement and avoid loss of lives and properties.
…Bago expresses worry
In his reaction, Governor Bago extended his deepest condolences to the affected communities.
The governor, in a statement issued in Minna by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, described the incident as worrisome, unfortunate, and pathetic.
He 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 sensitisation on the danger of such action.”
While urging the people to value their lives, the governor commended NSEMA for its prompt intervention, assuring that the state government through relevant MDAs will provide the needed support.
He prayed for the repose of the departed souls and wished the injured speedy recovery.
…NGF mourns
Also in a statement Tuesday, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) said it was saddened by the magnitude of the explosion.
The statement expressed its heartfelt condolences to the people and government of Niger state, especially the families of the victims and Governor Mohammed Umar Bago.
“Our sympathies are with every family that is affected in this unfortunate incident. We commend all the emergency responders for their humanitarian assistance to the victims,” the NGF said in a statement by its chairman, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara state.
“This disaster again calls attention to safety issues in every aspect of our life. This is particularly important in how combustible items are stored and transported at every stage,” the statement added.
