The Northern Senators Forum (NSF) has expressed deep sorrow and solidarity with the government and people of Niger State following the tragic tanker explosion in Katcha Local Government Area, which left at least 38 people dead and several others with life-threatening injuries.
The incident, which occurred earlier in the week when a fuel-laden tanker lost control and exploded near a busy market, has thrown the quiet community into mourning.
Homes, shops, and vehicles were reportedly razed, while families searched desperately for missing loved ones amid the wreckage.
In a condolence message issued on Wednesday and signed by its Chairman, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’adua, the NSF described the explosion as “a heart-wrenching tragedy that has brought untold grief to many families.”
“We are deeply saddened by this devastating incident and pray for the repose of the departed souls. May Allah grant them Jannatul Firdaus and comfort their families during this difficult time,” Yar’adua said.
The forum extended its heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families and the Niger State Government, urging both federal and state authorities to take decisive steps to prevent a recurrence.
“This tragedy should serve as a sobering reminder of the urgent need to strengthen road safety enforcement and ensure that vehicles transporting hazardous materials meet all safety standards,” the senators warned.
The NSF called on the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other regulatory agencies to intensify efforts in vehicle inspection and driver certification, stressing that preventable disasters have become too frequent on Nigeria’s highways.
“We must end the cycle of negligence that costs innocent lives,” the forum stated. “The safety of Nigerians must remain the foremost priority.”
The senators noted that the frequency of tanker-related explosions across the North highlights deeper issues of poor road conditions, weak regulation, and limited emergency response infrastructure, calling for an inter-agency approach to curb the menace.
As rescue operations wind down in Katcha, the forum prayed that Allah grants eternal rest to the victims and strength to their families.
“In this moment of profound grief, our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Niger State,” the forum said.
