Over 30 people killed, 50 cows burnt as petrol tanker explodes in Niger Community

At least 30 people have been killed in a petrol tanker explosion along Lapai-Agaie Road in the Agaie Local Government Area of Niger State, Northern Nigeria.

Diaspora Digital Media learnt that more than 50 cows were also burnt alive during the incident that occurred around 12:30 am on Sunday.

The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Abdullahi Baba-Arab, made this known in a statement issued on Sunday.

According to him, the petrol tanker collided head-on with a trailer truck carrying travellers and cattle from Wudil, Kano State en route to Lagos.

He added that two other vehicles, a crane truck and a pickup van, were also involved in the incident.

The statement partly reads: “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.

“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,” the statement adds.

A recurring decimal:

Petrol tanker fires have become a recurring disaster in Nigeria, resulting in devastating consequences for human life, property, and the environment.

The root causes of these tragedies are multifaceted, including deteriorated road infrastructure, driver negligence, inadequate vehicle maintenance, overloading, and regulatory failures.

These factors combined create a high risk of accidents, which often culminate in catastrophic fires that engulf everything in their path.

The impact of petrol tanker fires in Nigeria is dire, with innocent lives lost, families displaced, and economic activities disrupted.

To mitigate this menace, it is imperative that the government and stakeholders address the underlying causes.

This includes investing in road infrastructure, enforcing safety regulations, and providing emergency response training.

By taking proactive measures, Nigeria can reduce the occurrence of petrol tanker fires and ensure the safety of its citizens.

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