The October 14 tanker explosion in Majiya town, Jigawa State, has left a devastating toll, with 209 fatalities and 99 injured, according to the Jigawa Tanker Explosion Investigation Panel. The incident also caused widespread damage, affecting 167 families and destroying properties worth millions of naira.
Presenting the findings to Governor Umar Namadi on Wednesday in Dutse, panel chairman Hafizu Inuwa attributed the tragedy to multiple factors, including poor road infrastructure, night driving, and excessive speeding. The inferno was reportedly ignited by friction from metallic containers as victims attempted to scoop spilt fuel.
Inuwa disclosed that while 61 injured victims have been discharged, 38 remain hospitalized.
The panel recommended robust measures to avert future disasters, including:
- Regular inspections and enforcement of safety protocols for petroleum transporters.
- Upgrading emergency response centres and equipping health facilities with trauma and burn units.
- Establishing a dedicated road traffic control agency.
- Providing social protection for victims, including enrolling affected families into the ‘Danmodi Care Programme’ for financial and psychological support.
Governor Namadi pledged to implement these recommendations, emphasizing his administration's commitment to citizens' safety and well-being.
“We will take decisive actions to prevent such tragic incidents in the future,” Namadi assured, while commending the panel for its thorough investigation and acknowledging the government’s swift humanitarian response to the affected community.
