A devastating petrol tanker explosion occurred at Dikko Junction in Niger State on Saturday, resulting in a significant loss of life. As of the latest update, the death toll has risen to 86, with 55 people injured and receiving medical attention.The initial report on Saturday indicated 70 fatalities and 50 injuries. However, further recovery efforts uncovered more corpses, which were given a mass burial in Dikko, Niger State.
Abdullahi Baba-Arah, Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), disclosed the updated death toll in a statement released on Sunday.According to Baba-Arah, NSEMA, in collaboration with Gurara Local Government Area and volunteers, conducted the mass burial between 5 pm and midnight.
“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 recorded at Dikko PHC,” Baba-Arah stated.
“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 recorded at Dikko PHC,” Baba-Arah stated.
The tragic incident occurred when a speeding fuel tanker crashed at Dikko Junction, located between Niger and Kaduna states. As residents attempted to scoop fuel spilling onto the road, the tanker suddenly exploded, engulfing the surrounding area in flames.
The blast claimed the lives of both those collecting fuel and others attempting to rescue them. The scene was one of utter devastation, with charred remains and debris scattered everywhere.
In response to the disaster, Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago visited the scene on Saturday. During his visit, he announced a ban on vehicles coming from the Maje axis passing over the Dikko Bridge.
Governor Bago attributed the cause of the accident to reckless driving. He stated that it was unacceptable for vehicles coming from Maje to use the bridge and instead directed them to follow the underpass and take the appropriate U-turn.The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, confirmed the directive in a statement on Sunday. The ban aims to prevent similar accidents in the future and ensure the safety of road users.
“Niger State Government has directed that no vehicle coming from the Maje axis should be allowed to pass over the Dikko Bridge.“Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago issued this directive during his visit to the scene of the tanker explosion at Dikko Junction, Gurara LGA.
“The governor, who criticised the recklessness of certain drivers, said vehicles from Maje must use the underpass and make the U-turn correctly. “He also urged the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps to establish a detachment in the area to enforce the directive and called on all relevant transport unions to cooperate with the Road Safety Corps,” Ibrahim stated.
Governor Bago expressed his gratitude to NSEMA, the Fire Service, the Federal Road Safety Corps, and the Union of Road Transport Workers for their roles in evacuating the victims. The governor also announced plans to redeploy doctors from Minna hospitals to assist in treating the injured victims currently receiving care at Suleja General Hospital.
Source: https://punch.ng.com
