By Nurat Uthman
Over 100 people reportedly died with more than 50 hospitalised when a petrol tanker crashed in Majiya village of Taura local government area of Jigawa State.
The incident occurred at around 12:30 am on Wednesday with the tanker said to have fallen, making villagers to scoop fuel before the explosion.
Jigawa Police spokesman DSP Lawal Shiisu Adams confirmed the incident in a statement.
He said: “Today (Wednesday) a petrol tanker from Port Harcourt going to Nguru in Yobe state reached Majiya village of Taura local government area at around 12:30am the driver lost control at Majiya and falls down.
“The content in the tanker flooded gutters and drainages in village. The villagers started fetching the fuel where the the petrol going in to flame,sparking a massive inferno that killed 94 people on the spot,” DSP Adam explained.
“The incident left another 50 people severely injured, who were then rushed to Ringim and Hadejia General Hospitals for treatment.”
DSP Adam disclosed that the authorities have commenced a mass burial for the victims on Wednesday morning, with the entire community mourning the loss.
He described the scene as a “horrific tragedy,” emphasising the need for the public to understand the risks associated with scooping fuel from accident scenes.
Commissioner of Police in Jigawa State, AT Abdullahi, expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and the entire people of Jigawa State.
“This is a heartbreaking moment for us all,” he said. “We share in the pain and sorrow of the families affected. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the bereaved.”
The commissioner called for increased public awareness regarding the dangers of petrol explosions and urged residents to report such incidents to relevant authorities.
“We appeal to the public to notify security agencies or relevant stakeholders when such accidents occur to prevent loss of life. Safety must be our priority,” he added.
