At least 50 people have lost their lives following a devastating tanker explosion at Dikko along the Abuja/Kaduna expressway on Saturday. The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) confirmed the casualty figure, with several others injured and properties worth millions destroyed.
The tragic incident occurred around 9 a.m. on the Dikko-Maje road, opposite the Baddegi fuelling station. NSEMA Director General, Abdullahi Baba Arah, revealed that the explosion happened while drivers were attempting to transfer Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from one tanker to another. Sparks from a generator powering the process reportedly ignited the spilled fuel, triggering the deadly blaze.
Emergency response teams, including NSEMA, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Suleja Local Government Emergency Committee, and volunteers, are actively conducting search and rescue operations. Injured victims have been taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, while recovery efforts for the deceased continue.
Arah described the incident as a tragic loss, urging drivers and transport operators to adhere to safety protocols during fuel transfer operations to prevent similar disasters.
