Explosion: Govs mourn as 86 bodies are recovered, buried in Niger

FG begins campaign against fuel scooping

Ogun State Governor and Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, Dapo Abiodun, has described the tanker fire that claimed 86 lives and injured 25 others along the Dikko-Maje Road in Suleja, Niger State, as a devastating tragedy.

In a statement yesterday, the governor, who said governments and people of the Southern states were deeply troubled by the tragedy, commiserated with colleague, Mohammed Umar Bago, cabinet, as well as the people of Niger State, urging them not to allow their spirits to be dampened by the tragic event.

BESIDES, the 86 persons that died from the tanker explosion at Dikko Junction in Gurara Local Council of Niger State have been buried, according to the Director General of Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Arah.
  
Consequently, President Bola Tinubu has directed the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to kick-start a campaign against scooping of fuel from fallen tankers. This is even as fuel station owners and tanker operators have been called upon to immediately address recklessness of their drivers, especially on major roads and dangerous bends.
  
Arah revealed, yesterday, that 80 victims were buried in a mass grave at the Dikko Primary Health Care premises, while five were claimed by relatives for private burial.
  
One victim reportedly gave up the ghost at the healthcare centre due to injuries. The tragic incident occurred on January 18, 2025, when a petrol tanker from Kaduna overturned at the junction, spilling its contents.
  
Many residents gathered to scoop fuel from the site despite warnings to keep a safe distance.  When, eventually, the tanker exploded, it resulted in catastrophic loss of life, severe injuries and the destruction of property worth millions of naira.

Mourning the victims, the President sent his condolences to the families affected, as well as to the government and people of Niger State, underscoring the tragic and preventable nature of the incident, as many victims were those scooping Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from the overturned tanker.
  
Onanuga added: “The President has directed the provision of comprehensive medical care to the injured and instructed security and road safety authorities to implement measures to avert similar incidents.
  
“He has mandated NOA to initiate a nationwide educational campaign. This campaign will raise public awareness about the severe risks and environmental dangers of scooping fuel from fallen tankers.”