Over 30 people have been confirmed dead following a devastating petrol tanker explosion in Agaie Local Government Area of Niger State.
The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday when a tanker, loaded with premium motor spirit (PMS), collided head-on with a trailer truck carrying passengers and cattle from Wudil, Kano State, en route to Lagos.
Abdullahi Baba-Arab, the Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), confirmed the incident in a statement.
The explosion, which took place around 12:30 am along the Lapai-Agaie road, approximately 2 kilometers from Dendo Community, claimed not only human lives but also over 50 cattle that were burnt in the inferno.
The NSEMA statement read:
“NSEMA has received a report of a deadly tanker explosion that occurred on Sunday, 8th September 2024, at about 12:30 am along Lapai-Agaie road, 2km from Dendo Community in Agaie LGA.
The incident happened when a petrol tanker loaded with PMS collided with a trailer truck carrying travellers and cattle from Wudil, Kano State, heading to Lagos.
Two other vehicles, a crane truck and a pickup van, were also involved in the incident.”
It added, “Over 30 people have already been confirmed dead, with more than 50 cattle burnt alive.
NSEMA’s Rapid Response Team (RRT), in conjunction with LGEMCs, is still at the scene conducting search and rescue operations, as more bodies remain trapped inside the vehicles.”
Meanwhile, Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, expressed profound sorrow over the tragic loss of lives and properties.
In a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, the Governor lamented the disaster, calling it a “colossal loss.”
“The Governor is pained by the unfortunate incident and the colossal loss incurred,” the statement said. Governor Bago also urged residents of the affected area to remain calm, while appealing to road users to be cautious and adhere to traffic regulations in order to prevent future tragedies.
He concluded by praying for the repose of the souls of the departed and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
