A devastating tanker explosion at Dikko Junction in Niger State claimed 77 lives on Saturday, plunging the community into mourning. The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba-Arah, confirmed the fatalities in a phone interview with Channels Television.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In addition to the tragic death toll, 25 injured victims were rushed to hospitals in Suleja, Wuse, and nearby areas for urgent medical attention.
Government Response
Governor Umaru Bago, during a visit to the explosion site in Gurara Local Government Area, announced immediate safety measures. He directed that vehicles from the Maje axis must no longer use the Dikko Bridge but instead take an alternate U-turn route under the bridge. He also called on the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to establish a permanent detachment in the area to enforce this directive.
The governor highlighted the recklessness of drivers and urged transport unions to cooperate with road safety officials. He also emphasized the urgent need for the Federal Government to complete the Minna-Suleja road, which he said has contributed to recurring accidents and the loss of lives.
Emergency Response and Community Grief
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Fire Service, and other agencies worked together to evacuate victims. Doctors from Minna hospitals have been redeployed to assist in treating the injured in Suleja General Hospital.
The explosion has reignited discussions about the dangers posed by fuel tankers on Nigerian roads. In 2020, the FRSC recorded 1,531 fuel tanker accidents, resulting in over 535 deaths.
As investigations into the cause of the explosion continue, residents are calling for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations to prevent future tragedies. This incident follows a similar disaster in October, where over 170 people died in Jigawa State.
For now, Dikko Junction stands as a somber reminder of the heavy toll of safety lapses, with the community grieving the loss of innocent lives.
