The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic tanker explosion that occurred in Niger State, claiming the lives of over 39 people and leaving more than 60 others injured. The incident happened on Tuesday in Essa community, along the Bida-Agaie road in Katcha Local Government Area, when residents gathered to scoop fuel from a fallen tanker before it exploded.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, described the incident as "tragic and unfortunate," emphasizing that the deaths were avoidable. He called for more sensitization of the public on safety and response to disasters ¹.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State also expressed grief over the loss, urging residents to prioritize safety and value their lives. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed the death toll and is providing relief materials and medical support to victims and their families ² ³.
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has expressed sorrow over the incident, demanding immediate rehabilitation of the Bida-Agaie road to prevent further tragedies. The union emphasized the need for collective action to eradicate such preventable incidents ⁴.
The incident has sparked widespread mourning, with prominent figures, including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Director General of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), Bello Bwari, expressing condolences to the victims' families ⁵ ⁶.
