President Bola Ahmed Tinubu dispatched a delegation to Dutse yesterday to commiserate with Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi over Tuesday night’s tanker explosion in which over 100 people were burnt to death. Many were injured. Governors, traditional rulers, and other eminent Nigerians condoled with the state government, which gave a mass burial to the victims. Namadi attended the funeral. He later visited the injured at the Federal Medical Centre and promised to foot the bills. He said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims during this painful time. “We stand in solidarity with those who have lost loved ones and those injured in this tragic incident.” The Presidency put the death toll at 100 while the state Police command said 94 died. A medical practitioner, Dr. Hussain Abubakar, said he heard from a source at the venue of the mass burial that 106 bodies were interred. There were also differing figures on those injured. The police said they were 50. But eyewitnesses said the figure was higher. The tanker heading to Nguru, Yobe State, departed Kano and exploded after the driver lost control near a commercial bank in Majia, Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State at about 11.30 pm. The Police said most of the victims were those who raced to the scene to scoop spilt petrol after the tanker tumbled. Spokesman for the Command, Lawan Adam, said: “The residents were scooping fuel from the overturned tanker when the explosion occurred, sparking a massive inferno that killed 94 people on the spot. “The incident also left another 50 people severely injured. They were rushed to Ringim and Hadejia General Hospitals for treatment.” Adam described the incident as a “horrific tragedy.” He said it was important for people to understand that fuel scooping from the scenes of accidents was a high risk. A probe was ordered by the Federal Government. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who commiserated with the state government and families of the victims, directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, to lead a delegation to the state. The President also ordered that medical supplies, food, and shelter be extended to the 50 hospitalised persons. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said in a statement: “The President, with a heavy heart, joins the Vice-President (Kashim Shettima) in extending his deepest condolences to the families of the victims of this devastating incident. “He expresses his heartfelt prayers and support to the government and people of Jigawa during this time of tragic loss and grief. “He prays for divine comfort for the bereaved families and the peaceful repose for the souls of the departed. ‘’President Tinubu reassures the nation that the Federal Government, in collaboration with states, is committed to the swift and comprehensive review of fuel transportation safety protocols across the country. “He restates his directive to the FRSC to strengthen night travel measures, such as increased patrols, stricter enforcement of safety regulations, and other highway safety mechanisms.’’ Vice-President Shettima had in a similar statement mourned the deceased and called for a comprehensive review of fuel transportation safety protocols across the country. Shettima, in a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media (Office of the Vice). Stanley Nkwocha said the explosion threw the nation into grief. The Vice-President said: “My heart aches for those who have had their families torn apart by this disaster. “This devastating incident has shaken us all to our core. The Federal Government stands with the people of Jigawa. “As we contend with this tragedy, let us also reflect on the importance of safety measures and public awareness to prevent such incidents in the future. Every life is precious, and we must do all we can to protect our citizens.” Petroleum Resources Minister Heineken Lokpobri and FRSC Corps Marshal Mohammed ordered an immediate probe into the tragedy. The investigation ordered by Lokpobri will be conducted by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). The minister said in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Communications, Nneamaka Okafor, that Nigerians must “desist from approaching vehicles transporting petroleum products that have been involved in accidents or mechanical failures.” The FRSC boss directed Commanding Officers at “tank farms to expedite action towards ensuring that all tankers observe the minimum safety standards before they are allowed to convey inflammable substances.” Others who offered their condolences were the Nigerian Governors’ Forum(NGF), former President Muhammadu Buhari, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru. Buhari, in a condolence message by his Spokesman, Garba Shehu, prayed for those who lost loved ones and for the quick recovery of the injured. “The oil tanker mishap is utterly painful. My thoughts and prayers are with all those who lost their dear ones. I pray that the injured recover quickly.” In her message to Governor Umar Namadi, the First Lady prayed for God to grant the families of the deceased the strength to bear their loss. She also prayed for a speedy recovery of the injured and sought Allah’s mercy for the departed souls. President Tinubu said: “I condole with the Governor of Jigawa State, His Excellency, Mallam Umar Namadi, and the good people of the state on the unfortunate tanker explosion. “My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. I pray God to grant the friends, families and loved ones of the departed souls the fortitude to bear the painful loss and grant speedy recovery to the injured.’’ In a statement by its Chairman, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the NGF asked the people of Jigawa to accept its members’ heartfelt condolences. “Our hearts are with His Excellency, Governor Umar Namadi, the people of the state, and families involved in the incident. We ask Almighty Allah to grant them solace at this trying time and admit the deceased to al-Jannah Firdaus,” it added. Speaker Abbas and his deputy, Kalu described as unfortunate, the lives lost to the explosion. They also condoled the families of the deceased and prayed for the injured to recover quickly. Post navigation Federal Goverment, and then Organized Labour meets over fuel price hike. No leadership vacuum, says Presidency.
