The death toll from the Niger tanker explosion has risen to at least 98 persons, with 69 injured, following the petrol tanker explosion that occurred on Saturday 18 2025, in Gurara Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State.
The latest update was issued by Abdullahi Baba-Arah, Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, in a statement on Monday.
Kumar Tsukwam, the Commander of Niger State’s Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), stated that scores were injured while attempting to scoop fuel from a petrol tanker that had spilled on the road in the Suleja LGA.
“The death toll stands at 70 so far,” Tsukwam told reporters. He added that all FRSC personnel and other sister agencies are carrying out rescue operations.
Baba-Arah explained that the explosion occurred when the tanker collided with another tanker and later attempted to transfer the oil.
The oil came into contact with a generator, resulting in an explosion that caused casualties. He also noted that properties worth millions of naira, the currency of the West African nation, were destroyed in the blaze.
Meanwhile, Governor Mohammed Umar Bago has banned heavy-duty trucks from plying the Dikko Bridge, where the incident occurred.
The governor gave the order during a visit to the scene of the explosion. He also announced that doctors from government hospitals would be redeployed to assist in treating victims receiving care at the Suleja General Hospital.