In the aftermath of Tuesday’s devastating fuel tanker explosion, the Jigawa State Police Command has revealed that the high death toll and numerous injuries can be attributed to the reckless and desperate actions of locals who rushed to collect the leaking fuel from the ground.
The chilling toll of Tuesday night’s fuel tanker accident in Jigawa State, Nigeria, is being felt far and wide, with a staggering 140 people killed and 50 more injured in the devastating explosion.
In a voice message made available to Journalist on Wednesday, DSP Lawan Shiisu revealed that while officers managed to successfully cordon off the area following the tragic tanker accident, their efforts to control the crowd were met with resistance.
He said, “We tried our best to stop people going to the vehicle to get petrol but despite cordoning the area we were overpowered and as people were scooping fuel, fire erupted.
“The crash happened in the town of Majia in the northern state of Jigawa at around 23:30 local time (22:30 GMT).
“The fuel tanker was coming from Kano and heading to Nguru in Yobe state when the driver lost control of the vehicle.
“The tanker, loaded with petrol, ignited shortly after the crash, causing an inferno that engulfed numerous people in the vicinity.
“Fire service and other emergency units rushed to the scene to help after the incident.
“The injured were immediately rushed to General Hospital at Ringim, where medical personnel are working around the clock to treat the victims. However, the death toll is likely to rise as several of the injured remain in critical condition.”
The catastrophic aftermath of the fuel tanker explosion left many victims burnt beyond recognition, their bodies so badly damaged that they could not be identified. In an attempt to preserve the dignity of the deceased and shield them from onlookers, the recovered bodies were covered with tree branches, a somber and haunting reminder of the tragic event.
As rescue operations continued, workers discovered additional bodies at the scene of the fuel tanker explosion, increasing the death toll from 94 to 104. Meanwhile, the number of injured persons seeking treatment at nearby hospitals rose to an alarming 100 people by midday on Wednesday.
DSP Shiisu also disclosed that Jigawa State Police Commissioner, Ahmadu Abdullahi, has extended his heartfelt condolences to the people of the state, particularly those of Majiya town, where the tragic fuel tanker accident occurred.
