- “The President has directed the provision of comprehensive medical care to the injured and instructed security and road safety authorities to implement measures to avert similar incidents.”
As the 86 victims of the tanker explosion which rocked Dikko in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State were buried, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the fuel tanker explosion.
Lamenting the number of those who were injured in the devastating explosion, President Tinubu mourned the victims and expressed his condolences to the families affected, as well as to the government and people of Niger State.
A statement by Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, said Tinubu “underscored the tragic and preventable nature of the incident, as many victims were those scooping Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from the overturned tanker.
“The President has directed the provision of comprehensive medical care to the injured and instructed security and road safety authorities to implement measures to avert similar incidents.
“President Tinubu strongly advises all citizens to exercise caution and avoid approaching accident sites, especially those involving fuel-laden vehicles, due to their highly explosive nature.
“Additionally, the President has mandated the National Orientation Agency to initiate a nationwide educational campaign. This campaign will raise public awareness about the severe risks and environmental dangers of scooping fuel from fallen tankers.”
Reports indicate that at least, 55 persons who sustained injuries in the accident are lying critical ill at the Suleja General Hospital and Sabon Wuse General Hospital and Primary Healthcare Centre, Dikko.
Giving an update on the development, Director-General, Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Abdullah Baba Arah, said 80 of the deceased victims were given mass burial at the premise of Primary Healthcare Centre, Dikko while 5 corpses were taken away for burial by the relatives of the victims.
He added that one of the deceased victims died at the Primary Healthcare Centre, Dikko after the mass burial was conducted.
“A total number of 86 persons have been confirmed dead, with their corpses recovered and buried.
“80 of them are in mass grave at Dikko PHC premises, while 5 were carried away for burial in the towns by their relatives and 1 died in Dikko PHC.
“The mas burial was carried out by NSEMA in collaboration with Gurara LGA and very brave, kind-hearted volunteers between the hours of 5pm to 12am.
“The number of injured now stands at 55 with one dead in Dikko PHC”, he said.
The Federal Government has since ordered a probe into the incident.
