The death toll from the tanker explosion at Dikko Junction in Niger State has risen to 98, with 69 others injured. The tragic incident, which occurred in Gurara Local Government Area, also razed 20 shops, destroying goods worth millions of naira. The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) confirmed these figures, with its Director-General, Abdullahi Baba Arah, providing a breakdown of the casualties.
Efforts to save victims have been intense, with medical teams deployed to hospitals in Suleja, Sabon-Wuse, and Gwagwalada. At Suleja General Hospital, seven patients have succumbed to their injuries, while three others died at Sabon-Wuse. Over 20 critically injured patients have been referred to specialist care in Abuja, following directives from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for enhanced medical intervention.
Community leaders and religious bodies, including the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), have expressed sorrow and solidarity with victims' families. JNI highlighted the frequent recurrence of tanker explosions and called for urgent measures to prevent such disasters. Similarly, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) urged the government to improve road safety and enforce preventive measures.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has directed free medical services for the victims, while relief efforts continue. The explosion, which occurred on a vital highway linking Northern and Southern Nigeria, has reignited calls for stricter safety regulations for transporting petroleum products. Community groups, including ACF, emphasized the need to restore cultural values of safety and human compassion to prevent future tragedies.
