The Niger State Government has commiserated with the victims of Tuesday’s tragic petrol tanker explosion at Essa community in Katcha Local Government Area, which claimed several lives and left many others injured.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Murtala Bagana, the government said it stands in solidarity with the victims and their families during this difficult time.
“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn with the people of Essa and the surrounding communities. This is a painful loss for our state. We stand in solidarity with all those affected,” Bagana stated.
Acting on the directive of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, a delegation led by Bagana visited the scene of the incident and hospitals where the injured victims are receiving treatment.
He disclosed that the governor had approved comprehensive and free medical care for all victims of the explosion.
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According to him, severely injured persons are being evacuated to the National Hospital, Gwagwalada, for advanced treatment, while others are receiving care at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Bida and Agaie General Hospital.
While commiserating with the bereaved families, Bagana cautioned residents against the dangerous practice of scooping fuel from fallen tankers, which has led to repeated tragedies across the country.
“We mourn with the affected families and pray for the souls of the departed. We also appeal to residents to avoid the dangerous act of scooping fuel from accident scenes. Our administration remains fully committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our people,” he said.
The Niger State Government reiterated its commitment to improving road safety, emergency response, and infrastructure rehabilitation across the state to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The death toll from the explosion has risen to 42, with more than 60 others injured.
The incident occurred when a tanker overturned on the deteriorated Bida–Badeggi–Agaie Road and exploded as residents attempted to scoop fuel from the fallen vehicle.
According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the victims included nine men, 24 women, and nine children, while the injured, comprising men, women, and children, sustained varying degrees of burns.
Emergency responders, including the police, DSS, NSCDC, FRSC, and local volunteers, were mobilised to the scene for rescue operations, which continued as some residents were still unaccounted for.
Community leaders and eyewitnesses blamed the deplorable condition of the highway for the tragedy and called on both the federal and state governments to urgently rehabilitate the road to prevent further disasters.
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