Mass Burial For Victims As The Number Of People Killed In The Explosion Of The PWTOL Tanker Rises To 153

In Majiya town, in Jigawa State’s Taura Local Government Area, there were weeping on Wednesday when a petrol-laden tanker exploded, killing at least 153 people.

According to reports, 94 people died at the scene, while other injured people were taken to Ringim General Hospital where medical professionals were fighting for their lives.

When there were no more beds available at Ringim Hospital due to the high number of casualties, additional victims were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre in Birnin Kudu.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, President Bola Tinubu, his wife Oluremi, governors, and numerous other Nigerians expressed their sorrow over the occurrence. Following the explosion, the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency announced that 147 people were given mass burials, and more than 55 people were admitted to different hospitals.

The majority of the victims suffered irreversible burns.

153 people had been verified deceased and another 100 were seeking medical attention in hospitals, according to a statement released at the time of bed by Lawan Shiisu Adam, the Jigawa State Police Command’s public relations officer.

On Wednesday, Majiya town held a mass burial for the deceased.

The tanker driver lost control of the vehicle in Majia, close to Khadija University, on Tuesday at around 11:30 p.m.

Before the driver lost control and the tanker collapsed with its contents, it was said to have departed Kano and was traveling to Nguru town in Yobe State.

It was learned that some individuals went there to retrieve the product following the incident, a move that ultimately resulted in the explosion.
Dr. Haruna Mairiga, the Executive Secretary of the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency, confirmed that there were 147 casualties. He also stated that his team saved approximately fifty additional people and sent them to several hospitals across the state.

“When we first arrived, we were informed that approximately 95 people had died, but during the mass burial, we were able to count 147 bodies, which we all gave mass burial to,” he stated.

“We also transported roughly fifty injured people to various hospitals throughout the state.”
In confirming the occurrence, the police spokesperson stated, “The tragic event happened on October 15, 2024, at roughly 2230hrs, involving a gasoline truck carrying Driven by Yusuf Mohd’m’, a 32-year-old resident of Hotoro Quarters, Kano State, the tanker, registration number KMC 6412 F, overturned and spilled petrol while it was en route from Kano to Nguru, Yobe State. The driver lost control of the vehicle close to Khadija University in Majia town, Taura LGA.

“The gasoline reached the village’s periphery via the drainage system. Sadly, when residents tried to scrape gasoline out of the drains, a fire broke out and many people are said to have died.

According to him, Divisional Police Officer Gujungu, Area Commander Ringim, and his troops hurriedly arrived to the spot.

A total of 105 dead have been removed, while 50 injured people have been sent to the Hadejia and Ringim General Hospitals for treatment.

“The Thanks to the coordinated efforts of police, firefighters, and good Samaritans, the fire was effectively put out.

The police command ascribed the large number of fatalities and injuries on local residents’ frantic attempts to get the commodity.

Despite the police’s best efforts to keep everyone away and warn them, Adam claimed that individuals persisted and began scooping gasoline, which resulted in a disastrous explosion.

He continued by saying that several bystanders disregarded warnings and approached the accident site irresponsibly, making it difficult for the police to maintain control of the area.

“Shortly after the collision, the gasoline-loaded tanker caught fire, engulfing many nearby residents in the conflagration.

“The wounded were sent right away to the Medical staff at the General Hospital in Ringim are treating the injured twenty-four hours a day.

Nevertheless, since a number of the injured are still in critical condition, the death toll is probably going to go up.

He claimed that since then, A.T. Abdullahi, the state’s commissioner of police, has expressed sympathy and condolences to all of the state’s citizens, particularly those in Majiya town, where the tragedy took place.

Governor Umar Namadi offered his condolences to the people for the untimely deaths.

Namadi quickly went to the scene of the occurrence and participated in saying the deceased’s burial prayer.

He called the event the worst catastrophe to ever affect Jigawa State.

“During this difficult moment, our prayers and thoughts are with the victims’ families.

The governor declared, “We stand in solidarity with those who have lost loved ones and those injured in this tragic incident.”

The governor added that all injuries sustained in the fire would be covered by the government.

On Monday, Tinubu sent George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, instructions to head a delegation from the Federal Government to Jigawa.
In addition, he gave the order to provide emergency medical supplies, food, and lodging to fifty injured individuals undergoing treatment as well as other fire victims.

“The government delegation will comprise [Jigawa’s immediate past governor who is now] the Minister of Defense, Mohammed Abubakar; Minister of Transportation, Saidu Alkali; Corps Marshal of the Federal Roads Safety Corps, Mr. Shehu Mohammed; and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North-West), Abdullahi Yakasai,” according to a statement signed on Wednesday by Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

Onanuga stated that the group would visit the hospitalized injured and the place of the tragedy to evaluate the situation while in Jigawa.

With heavy hearts, the President and Vice President offer their sincere condolences to the families of those lost in this tragic event.

He offers the Jigawa government and people his sincere condolences and support at this terrible period of loss and mourning.

According to the statement, “he prays for divine comfort for the bereaved families and the peaceful repose for the souls of the departed.”

Additionally, President Tinubu informed the people that the federal government is dedicated to reviewing fuel transportation safety measures countrywide as soon as possible and thoroughly, working with state governments.

Vice President Kashim Shettima demanded a thorough examination of gasoline transportation safety regulations throughout Nigeria in addition to declaring immediate intervention.

Shettima prayed that Almighty Allah would give the families who lost loved ones in the unfortunate occurrence the strength to bear the loss. She conveyed her sympathy for those families in particular.

Her Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Stanley Nkwocha, signed a condolence message for Shettima on Wednesday. Shettima wrote, “My heart aches for those who have had their families torn apart by this disaster.”

“This horrific incident has left us all completely stunned,” it stated. The Jigawa people have the support of the Federal Government.

“We are deploying all required resources to aid the impacted families and support the injured in this tragic event.”

Additionally, the VP ordered Jigawa State to receive the urgent deployment of National Emergency Management Agency staff and resources.

Similarly, the First Lady, Mrs. Tinubu, expressed her condolences to the governor of Jigawa State, His Excellency, Mallam Umar Namadi, as well as the good people of the State, over the tragic tanker explosion that happened on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, in a statement.

“It is really regrettable that there were so many fatalities, injuries, and property losses from this awful catastrophe.

“At this moment, my prayers and thoughts are with you. I ask God to give the bereaved people’s friends, family, and loved ones the strength to handle their terrible loss and to heal the wounded quickly.

The Kwara State governor and forum chairman, Mallam AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq, issued a statement on Wednesday expressing the Nigeria Governor’s Forum’s condolences for the deceased.

“The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) is saddened at the reported death of 105 persons in the gasoline tanker explosion in Majia town, Jigawa State, on Tuesday,” the statement stated.

The forum expresses its sincere sympathies to the people and government of Jigawa State over this tragic event, especially to the families who lost dear ones and the injured parties.

Because of its volatility and existential risk, the NGF warned people not to take advantage of gasoline spills, calling the incident’s described conditions concerning.

enhanced safety procedures when handling flammable materials like gasoline, especially in unanticipated situations like accidents, the forum stated.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families affected by the catastrophe, the people of the state, and His Excellency Governor Umar Namadi.

The statement read, “We pray to Almighty Allah to comfort them in this difficult time and admit the deceased to al-Jannah Firdaus.”

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has been directed by the Federal Government, acting through the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, to begin a comprehensive inquiry into the tanker explosion.

Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, condemned the circumstances surrounding this regrettable tragedy and issued the directive.

In a statement issued by his Special Advisor for Media, Lokpobiri In a statement released by Nneamaka Okafor, his Special Advisor for Media and Communications, Lokpobiri expressed his sincere sympathies to the families and loved ones of those impacted by this tragic event.

The statement said as follows: “Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of Petroleum Resources, has expressed great grief over the terrible explosion of a gasoline tanker that occurred in Majiya town, Taura Local Government Area, Jigawa State, resulting in over 100 fatalities and numerous injuries.