Following a devastating fuel tanker explosion in Jigawa State, the Nigerian government has promptly initiated an inquiry into the occurrence, resulting in more than 100 fatalities and several serious injuries. Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), instructed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to investigate the tragic event comprehensively. In the town of Majiya, located within the Taura Local Government Area, the explosion took place, reverberating throughout the nation and underscoring the urgent safety issues related to the transportation of petroleum.
Lokpobiri conveyed his heartfelt sadness regarding the unfortunate incident and offered his sympathies on behalf of the Federal Government and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to those impacted. In a statement issued by his Special Adviser for Media and Communications, Nneamaka Okafor, the minister emphasised the importance of enhancing safety protocols in transporting petroleum products. He emphasised that oil transportation firms should guarantee that only licensed drivers who adhere fully to the safety regulations set by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) are responsible for transporting these products.
Nigerians should steer clear of fuel-related incidents vehicles.
The minister conveyed a crucial caution to the citizens. He advised Nigerians to steer clear of cars that have been part of fuel-related incidents, highlighting the severe hazards of trying to gather spilt fuel. Though they recognise the appeal of taking advantage, the danger of fetching up spilt fuel is immense. This unfortunate incident highlights the serious risks that can arise when both those delivering goods and passersby ignore safety protocols. He expressed that he thought of those affected and hoped they would recover quickly and completely.
In response to the accident, a team of specialists from the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) was also sent to Jigawa to examine what happened. The explosion took place late on October 16, 2024, when a petrol tanker en route from Kano to Nguru in Yobe State veered off course and collided. When fuel started to leak from the ruptured tanker, locals came together to gather the spilt petrol; however, the tanker detonated, setting the surrounding area ablaze.
Absence of a reliable railway network for heavy goods is a leading cause.
Director General of the NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., extended his sympathies to the victims’ families and highlighted the necessity of identifying the underlying reasons for the incident. The goal at the NSIB is to investigate the explosion thoroughly and extract essential safety lessons. The NSIB’s inquiry seeks to evaluate the conditions leading to both the crash and the subsequent explosion to avert similar incidents in the future. The agency has promised the community that it will offer updates as new details come to light from the current inquiry.
Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at the NSIB, cautioned the populace against fuel scooping during accident scenarios. This tragic event highlights the risks associated with fuel incidents. They implore everyone to keep their distance from these areas to prevent additional casualties. All these underscore the significant problem of road safety in Nigeria, where the absence of a reliable railway network frequently compels heavy goods, like oil products, onto inadequately maintained highways, leading to a rise in deadly collisions.
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A similar incident also happened in Niger State in the past month, where a tanker crashed into a truck, triggering a large explosion that took the lives of at least 48 people. Alongside the loss of human life, at least 50 cattle aboard the tanker were tragically burned to death. According to Abdullahi Baba-Arab, the Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, the victims’ remains were subjected to a collective burial because of the extent of their injuries from burns. Citizens were urged to remain calm following the incident, and travellers were encouraged to focus on safety and follow traffic laws.