The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has extended his condolences to the families of victims of the fuel tanker fire that occurred at Dikko Junction in Niger State on Saturday, January 18, 2025.

This came as the Director-General, Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Alhaji Abdullahi Baba-Arah, confirmed in a statement yesterday that the death toll had risen to 98.

Mohammed described the loss of lives as disheartening and urged tanker operators to adhere to safety standards and protocols when transporting fuel. He stressed that incidents of such magnitude must never be allowed to recur.

Despite ongoing awareness campaigns by the FRSC on the safe transportation of petroleum products and public safety at crash scenes, Mohammed lamented that many lives were lost in the tragic incident.

He disclosed that 73 burnt bodies had been recovered for burial, coordinated by the Niger State Government, while those who sustained injuries were taken to various hospitals, including Suleja General Hospital, for treatment.

The Corps Marshal revealed that FRSC teams, in collaboration with other stakeholders, are continuing operations at the scene to manage traffic and prevent further incidents. He added that the Corps’ Accident Investigation Unit would work with other agencies to uncover the cause of the fire and develop preventive measures.

Mohammed emphasised the importance of inter-agency collaboration and public engagement in ensuring safety and preventing avoidable disasters. Referring to a similar incident in Jigawa last year, he described the latest tragedy as painful and regrettable, particularly at the start of a new year.

He assured Nigerians that the FRSC would intensify efforts to address road-based emergencies, urging all citizens to support these initiatives. While praying for the repose of the souls lost in the fire, he called for assistance to the survivors and their families to ensure their recovery.

Meanwhile, a safety and security expert, Nurain Abayomi Mumuni, has warned Nigerians against using mobile phones near fuel tankers, cautioning that such actions could trigger explosions.

In a statement issued through his media aide, Rasheed Abubakar, Mumuni extended condolences to Governor Umaru Bago and the people of Niger State over the tragic loss of lives. He stressed the need for heightened public awareness of fuel tanker safety to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Mumuni urged Nigerians to report leaking or improperly parked fuel tankers to local authorities and reiterated the importance of literacy and safety education in mitigating tanker-related explosions.