Tanker Blast in Jigawa Claims Over 100 Lives, Injures Dozens
On Wednesday, reportedly 12:30 AM, tragedy struck Majiya Town in Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State as a devastating petrol tanker explosion led to the death of over 100 persons with 50 others injured and hospitalised.
The incident happened when the tanker driver, traveling from Kano to Nguru in Yobe State, lost control near Khadija University, Majiya.
The Police Public Relations Officer of Jigawa State Command, DSP Shi’ísu Lawan Adam, said the tanker explosion was triggered by residents who had rushed to the accident scene to scoop split petrol after the tanker tumbled over.
Adam confirmed that no fewer than 90 people lost their lives from the resulting inferno while 50 others sustained various degrees of burns.
“At about 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday in Majia Town, Taura local government area of Jigawa, the tanker driver lost control near Khadija University and it exploded.
“The driver left Kano and was heading to Nguru in Yobe when the accident happened.
“We are worried that in spite of police warning for people to steer clear from scenes of accidents involving fuel tankers, they still engage in such acts.
“People gathered around the accident scene. That is the reason for the mass casualty,” DSP Adam explained.
“The residents were scooping fuel from the overturned tanker when the [tanker] explosion occurred, sparking a massive inferno that killed 94 people on the spot.
“The incident left another 50 people severely injured, who were then rushed to Ringim and Hadejia General Hospitals for treatment.”
Mass burial arranged for Jigawa tanker explosion victims
The Police spokesman disclosed that the authorities have arranged for a mass burial for the victims on Wednesday morning, with the entire community in mourning over the tragic incident.
He described the tanker explosion scene as a “horrific tragedy,” stressing the need for the public to understand the risks associated with collecting petrol from accident scenes.
Jigawa State Commissioner of Police, AT Abdullahi, expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and the entire people of Jigawa.
“This is a heartbreaking moment for us all,” he said. “We share in the pain and sorrow of the families affected. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the bereaved.”
Abdullahi called for increased public sensitisation regarding the potential dangers of petrol explosions and urged residents to report such incidents to relevant authorities.
“We appeal to the public to notify security agencies or relevant stakeholders when such accidents occur to prevent loss of life. Safety must be our priority,” he added.
Eyewitness accounts described the scene as that of chaos and despair, with many struggling to rescue the injured victims from the blazing flames.
“It was terrifying. People were running in all directions, screaming for help. The fire spread so quickly that many couldn’t escape,” Sani Umar, a resident who narrowly escaped the inferno, recounted,
