The police command in Jigawa says at least 90 people have been confirmed dead after a petrol-laden tanker exploded on the Kano-Hadejia expressway on Tuesday.
Shi’isu Adam, spokesperson of the Jigawa police command, said the resulting inferno left 50 others with varying degrees of injuries.
Adam said most of the victims were trying to scoop petrol from the tanker after it tipped over.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
The spokesperson added that a mass burial has been scheduled for 9am on Wednesday, while the injured are receiving treatment at Ringim General Hospital.
