The Niger State Government has held a mass burial for victims of the petrol tanker explosion that occurred in Essa village, Katcha Local Government Area, and has approved free medical treatment for all survivors.
In a statement on Thursday, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Bologi Ibrahim, said the decision followed a visit by a government delegation led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Murtala Bagana, to the explosion site and the hospitals where survivors are being treated.
According to the statement, a mass burial was conducted for the deceased in Katcha, with prayers offered for the repose of their souls and the quick recovery of those injured. The government assured residents that normalcy has been restored to the community and reaffirmed its commitment to public safety.
About 50 people were said to have sustained injuries, with some being treated for burns and others for smoke inhalation. The victims are receiving care at various hospitals, including the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Bida, General Hospitals in Bida and Agaie, as well as the National Hospital Abuja, Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital, and FMC Jabi.
The state government also supplied drugs and medical materials worth over ₦10 million to hospitals treating the victims and gave cash donations to affected families. It commended FMC Bida, the State Ministry of Health, emergency teams, and the Katcha Local Government Authority for their swift response and coordination.
The statement further urged residents to avoid scooping fuel from fallen tankers, warning that such actions are extremely dangerous. It also appealed to the Federal Government to fix the Jebba–Mokwa–Bida–Agaie–Lapai–Lambata road, noting that its poor condition contributed to the accident.
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Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Authority, Abdullahi Baba Arah, confirmed that the death toll had risen to 42, with 52 others injured. He said the explosion occurred after villagers attempted to scoop fuel from the fallen tanker.
Earlier reports from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) indicated that 39 people died and over 60 sustained severe burns. NEMA added that its rescue team, alongside state agencies, the police, and other responders, evacuated victims to nearby health facilities for treatment.
Reacting to the tragedy, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, expressed deep sadness, lamenting that despite repeated warnings, some citizens still risk their lives by scooping fuel from accident scenes.
