The Jigawa police command says 173 people have lost their lives, and 70 hospitalised in the recent petrol tanker explosion that occured along the Kano-Hadejia expressway on Tuesday.
Lawan Shiisu, the police spokesperson in Jigawa, confirmed to TheCable on Sunday that the death toll from the petrol tanker explosion on Tuesday had risen by over 80 from the initially reported 90 to 173.
Aliko Dangote, president of Dangote Group, and Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno state, visited the site of the incident on Friday.
They were joined by Umar Ganduje, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state for petroleum resources, to offer condolences.
Lokpobiri described the incident as unprecedented, saying no amount of petrol taken can justify the tragic loss of lives. He urged Nigerians to immediately report such accidents to relevant authorities.
“We’ve been hearing of this type of development in different parts of the country, but none has been on this scale. So when we heard of what happened, we had to come,” the minister said.
“Myself and the head of Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), who oversees the monitoring of both the mainstream and downstream sectors, along with the leadership of NMDPRA, had to come and see things for ourselves.
“We’ve been to the government house, condoled with the government and the people of the state, and felt it was necessary to visit the site as well.
“We also witnessed the grief, the mass grave, where over a hundred people are buried, and we want to take this opportunity to condole with the families of those who have lost their lives.
“We also appeal to Nigerians that if they see any fuel tanker like this, they should not go near. The amount of petrol taken cannot justify risking one’s life.
“I want to use this opportunity to urge Nigerians to report such incidents to the nearest police station, road safety officers, NMDPRA, or any relevant authority, so they can secure the area and save lives.
“Government is also taking steps to ensure that incidents like this do not happen. We’re implementing certain policies, ensuring that trucks carrying products are certified by NMDPRA, road safety, and other agencies working with us.
“Going forward, only roadworthy and certified vehicles will be allowed to transport products to different parts of the country.”
Dangote and Ganduje extended their deepest condolences to the families affected and prayed for the quick recovery of the injured.
Ganduje, who visited survivors at Rashida Shekoni Teaching Hospital in Dutse, praised the state government for its swift response and commended victims and their families for their resilience.
“I am deeply moved by the resilience shown by the victims and their families,” Ganduje said.
“I pray for the departed souls and for the quick recovery of those injured. We must take all necessary steps to prevent such a disaster from occurring again.”
Umar Namadi, governor of Jigawa, expressed gratitude to the visiting officials and other well-wishers from across the country.
He said discussions with the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) are underway to improve safety measures.
“Their roadmap includes the redesigning of fuel tanks and other preventive measures,” Namadi said.
He urged the minister to involve NARTO in drafting new and effective safety strategies for transporting flammable products.
