Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has visited Jigawa State to offer condolences to Governor Umar Namadi Dan Modi and the people following the devastating petroleum tanker explosion that claimed over 180 lives and left more than 80 others hospitalised.

In his message of sympathy, Obi described the incident as a national tragedy, noting that most of the victims were young people in their prime and productive years.

He extended his prayers to the families of the deceased and pledged to donate to support the victims.

Obi also called for greater care from tanker drivers and urged the government at all levels to implement livelihood programmes to prevent similar disasters in the future.

“The frequency of tragedies in our nation has become a concerning issue. Relevant stakeholders and governments must strive to put in place infrastructure and laws that will help prevent such ugly incidents,” he urged.

The ex-Anambra governor underscored the importance of taking preventive measures to mitigate misfortunes, noting that “tragedies occur when necessary human action is not adequately taken.”

MEANWHILE, the governor, yesterday, put the current death toll at 181, with another 80 persons hospitalised.

Modi, who was at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to brief the President, revealed that 210 families were affected by the inferno.

Recall that the incident occurred on Tuesday, October 15, when a truck carrying petrol, travelling from Kano to Nguru in Yobe State, exploded in Majia, located in the Taura Local Council of Jigawa State, following a fall that resulted in the immediate death of over 100 individuals and injuries to several others who were scooping fuel.

The governor said the state had raised a high-powered committee, under the chairmanship of a retired DIG to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the incident and advise the government on what to do.