The Jigawa State Police Command has confirmed the deaths of 95 people and injuries to 50 others following a tragic incident in Majiya village, located in the Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State.
The accident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday when a petrol tanker, traveling from Port Harcourt to Nguru in Yobe State, lost control and overturned upon reaching Majiya village around 12:30 am.
The spokesperson for the Jigawa State Police, DSP Lawal Shiisu Adams, provided details of the incident.
According to DSP Shiisu, the tanker, which was carrying petrol, crashed and spilled its contents into the village’s gutters and drainages.
Local residents, noticing the fuel spill, began to collect the petrol. Unfortunately, during the chaotic scene, the spilled fuel ignited, causing a massive fire that spread quickly throughout the area.
In the resulting blaze, 95 people tragically lost their lives, while another 50 sustained varying degrees of injuries and were immediately taken to the hospital for treatment. Emergency services and medical personnel have since been working to provide care for the injured.
DSP Shiisu expressed deep sorrow over the incident and urged the public to avoid situations involving fuel spills or other hazardous materials to prevent such disasters in the future.
He emphasized that safety must always come first and advised people to steer clear of potential dangers, especially in situations involving highly flammable substances like petrol.
This devastating accident has left the community of Majiya in shock, as families mourn the loss of their loved ones and others remain in the hospital, fighting for their lives.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the full circumstances surrounding the incident to prevent a recurrence of such a tragedy.
