Senators from the 19 Northern states, along with Labour Party presidential candidate Obi and others, expressed outrage yesterday as the death toll from the petrol tanker accident at Dikko Junction in Niger State rose to 96. Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf and Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, also shared their condolences with the victims’ families.
According to Abdullahi Baba-Arah, the Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), 69 people were injured in the explosion, and 20 shops were destroyed.
The Northern Senators Forum (NSF), led by Chairman Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, issued a statement calling for the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and relevant authorities to ensure that all tankers and heavy-duty vehicles are safe and meet strict standards following the recent petrol tanker explosion at Dikko Junction, which resulted in 96 deaths. The forum emphasized the need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations to prevent similar tragedies in the future and offered condolences to the victims’ families.
Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi also expressed his grief over the incident and urged authorities to implement stronger safety measures to prevent tanker explosions, which have become increasingly common.
Additionally, Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf and Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security expressed their condolences, with the governor highlighting the need for collective responsibility in ensuring safety while praising the emergency responders for their efforts. The minister lamented the frequent occurrences of fuel tanker accidents and the associated loss of life and property damage.
He stated that ongoing tragedies from fuel tanker crashes should not be a regular experience, as these incidents often result in numerous fatalities and horrific mass burials of victims. This reality serves as a crucial call for all stakeholders to take action to prevent such occurrences.
He emphasized the need for advocacy programs to address issues related to fuel tankers, highlighting that no region is immune to these disasters. Communities must be educated on safety precautions during fuel tanker incidents, particularly the dangers posed by spilled fuel.
Additionally, he urged Road Transport Owners and Workers, especially those transporting hazardous materials like fuel, to conduct regular refresher training for their drivers and staff involved in the delivery process.