A devastating tanker explosion at Dikko Junction along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State has resulted in 86 fatalities, as confirmed by the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA). The incident occurred on Saturday when individuals attempted to transfer gasoline from a crashed tanker to another vehicle using a generator, which ignited the explosion.
NSEMA’s Director General, Abdullahi Baba Arah, reported that 80 victims were interred in a mass grave at Dikko Primary Health Care Centre, while five were claimed by their families for private burials. The mass burial, conducted in collaboration with Gurara Local Council and dedicated volunteers, took place from 5:00 p.m. to midnight on Saturday.
Additionally, 55 individuals sustained various degrees of burns and are receiving medical treatment at three different hospitals in the Suleja area. The explosion also caused significant property damage, including the destruction of 15 nearby shops.
This tragic event underscores the dangers associated with siphoning fuel from compromised tankers, a practice that has led to similar incidents in the past. Authorities are urging the public to exercise caution and avoid such activities to prevent future disasters.
