•18 still critically injured •First Lady mourns
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to intensify efforts to enhance the safety and security of travellers and residents, following the tragic petrol tanker explosion in Niger State that claimed over 59 lives.
The President’s directive comes after he sent condolences to the government and people of Niger, commiserating with the families of the dead and injured victims, and sympathising with owners of affected shops.
He praised federal and state emergency agencies for their swift response and Nigerians who assisted at the scene.
The explosion, which occurred on the Bida-Agaie-Lapai Road on Sunday, also involved a truck loaded with cattle and passengers, leaving many injured.
In a statement, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said: “President Bola Tinubu has sent heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Niger State on the petrol tanker explosion on the Bida-Agaie-Lapai- road on Sunday in Niger State, which claimed the lives of 48 people and livestock.
“According to the Niger Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), many people were injured in the accident, which also involved a truck loaded with cattle and passengers.
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“President Tinubu commiserates with the families of the dead and injured victims. He also sympathised with the owners of shops affected by the tragedy.
“He prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
“The President commended the federal and state emergency agencies for their swift response. He similarly commended the good-spirited Nigerians who mobilised to the incident scene to assist the victims.
“He pledged continued support for efforts aimed at providing relief to those affected.
“President Tinubu has directed relevant federal agencies in transportation and road infrastructure to redouble their efforts and work with state governments to enhance the safety and security of travellers and residents.’’
The death toll in the tanker explosion has increased to 59 while those injured are 18.
Niger State Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kumar Tsukwan, who spoke to The Nation, said the victims were only men and that the vehicles were unrecognised because they were burnt.
He said: “The fuel laden tanker from Lagos on transit to Kano was on top speed, lost control, fell down and engulfed with fire while another trailer that conveyed cows and humans was consequently affected and two other vehicles behind. All the four vehicles got burnt to ashes.
“It was gathered that the trailer that conveyed humans and cows was alerted by one of his passengers of the fire at their front but the driver responded that it was just mere tyre burning and on reaching the engulfed tanker, the trailer was immediately engulfed and, consequently, the two other vehicles.”
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) said the death toll increased because some bodies were discovered during continued evacuation while one of the victims died at FMC Bida.
Meanwhile, the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has expressed her condolences to the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, and the people of the state over the explosion.
In a statement, Mrs Tinubu commiserated also with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the incident, which occurred in the Agaie Area of North Central Local Government Area.
She prayed that Almighty Allah grants the affected families the strength and fortitude to bear the painful loss, and may the souls of the deceased rest in peace in Aljannah Firdaus.
“I commiserate with the Governor of Niger State, His Excellency, Mohammed Umar Bago, and the people of Niger State on the tragic loss of lives and properties, which occurred on Sunday, 8th September, 2024, as a result of the tanker explosion.
“My thoughts and prayers are with you all, especially the people of Agaie Area in North-Central Local Government Area, Niger State.’’