The death toll in the Dikko tanker explosion in Nigeria’s Niger State has risen to 86, with 80 of the victims buried in a mass grave.
Alhaji Abdullahi Baba-Arah, the Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), disclosed in Minna on Sunday.
He said five of the victims were carried away by their relatives for burial while one died at the Dikko Primary Healthcare Centre.
Baba-Arah said that the mass burial was carried out by NSEMA in collaboration with authorities of the Gurara Local Government Council and volunteers.
He confirmed that the number of injured persons was now 55.
The tanker explosion occurred on Saturday morning on the Dikko-Maje road in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger.
The incident happened when a tanker loaded with petrol fell and an attempt was made to transfer its content.
Some residents had besieged the fallen tanker, scooping fuel.
An attempt to switch on a generator to ease the transfer of the petrol triggered an explosion, resulting in the deaths and destruction of properties.
The Federal Government has expressed its condolences to the government and people of Niger.
Prof. Nantewe Yilwatda, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, described the incident in a statement on Sunday as tragic, noting that it claimed many lives and destroyed property.
The statement was issued in Abuja by Rhoda Iliya, the ministry’s Information Officer.
The Minister, expressing concern over the rising frequency of tanker explosions in the country, warned motorists against reckless driving that could endanger innocent lives.
Yilwatda urged them to strictly adhere to road traffic regulations at all times.
“I am deeply saddened by the frequent occurrence of tanker explosions in the country, which always leads to loss of lives, injuries, and property damage.
“I share in the pain of the community who lost their loved ones in this devastating incident,” Yilwatda said.
He also offered his condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
The minister commended the swift response of Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger State and his team, particularly the State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Fire Service, and the Federal Road Safety Corps.
He also thanked the Nigeria Police Force and other concerned Nigerians who assisted in evacuating the victims from the scene.
According to the Director-General of NSEMA, Mr Abdullahi Baba-Arah, the incident resulted in 86 fatalities, with 80 individuals buried in a mass grave and the rest handed over to their families for burial.
The number of injured persons has risen to 55, with one fatality recorded at the healthcare facility in Dikko.
