The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has called for stricter adherence to safety measures and regulations in the transportation of combustible materials across the country.
The Forum made the call in a condolence message issued by its Chairman and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, to the government and people of Niger State following the tragic tanker explosion in Katcha Local Government Area.
The NGF extended its condolences to Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, the families of the victims, and the people of the state, while commending emergency responders for their swift humanitarian intervention.
Confirming the incident, the Director of Information of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Dr Ibrahim Hussaini, said, “Our men are on the ground for search and rescue operations.”
“So far our men have confirmed that 35 people have been burnt to death and 40 others injured,” Hussaini added, noting that the injured had been taken to Bida and Lapai General Hospitals.
Similarly, the state Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), A’isha Sa’adu, confirmed that no fewer than 35 persons lost their lives in the petrol tanker explosion.
She explained that the tragedy occurred when some residents attempted to scoop fuel from the fallen tanker, which later exploded.
According to her, 46 others sustained varying degrees of injuries and were evacuated to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Bida, with the support of FRSC personnel, villagers, and some good Samaritans.
Sa’adu said preliminary investigations revealed that the accident was a lone crash resulting from loss of control by the tanker driver.
She cautioned motorists to exercise utmost care and comply with traffic regulations to avoid unnecessary loss of lives.
The sector commander also warned members of the public against scooping fuel from accident scenes, describing it as a dangerous act that had claimed many lives in the past.
