A tanker explosion on Saturday morning, January 19, 2025, claimed 86 lives and left 55 injured.
The tragedy occurred along the Dikko-Maje Road opposite Baddegi Station, near the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, when a tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) crashed.
During an attempt to transfer the fuel to another container, the spilled PMS came into contact with a generator powering the operation, causing a massive explosion.
Victims included passers-by, local residents, and shop owners, with most of the deceased burned beyond recognition.
Emergency responders, led by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), arrived swiftly to contain the situation.
Mrs. Zubaida Umar, NEMA’s Director General, expressed her sorrow and called for the “need for strict adherence to safety measures during emergencies.”
“Despite our awareness campaigns, such tragedies persist due to negligence,” she said.
Under Mr. Hussaini Isah, Head of NEMA’s Minna Office, injured individuals are receiving treatment at local hospitals.
On Saturday evening, many families were left in grief as 80 victims were buried in a mass grave.
The Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) also expressed its condolences.
In a statement, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, the NGF Chairman, said:
“This heartbreaking incident has cast a shadow of grief across the nation. We stand united in calling for stricter enforcement of safety measures in the transportation and handling of combustible materials.”
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, also responded, stating the importance of road safety and directing State Commissioners of Police to strengthen traffic enforcement:
“This tragedy highlights the consequences of negligence. Vehicle owners and drivers must ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and follow traffic rules to prevent future disasters.”
