President Bola Tinubu, deeply concerned about the high number of lives lost in repeated tanker explosions across the country, has established a high-level committee to prevent such incidents from recurring. This decision follows the tragic tanker explosion at Dikko Junction, Niger State, which claimed 88 lives on Saturday night, bringing the total number of deaths from such explosions since September 2024 to 265.
In his statement, the president expressed his sorrow for the victims and directed security agencies and road safety authorities to work together to prevent further accidents. Additionally, he tasked the National Orientation Agency (NOA) with raising public awareness about the dangers of scooping fuel from fallen tankers.
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Prominent figures, including former President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Kashim Shettima, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, and APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, have also expressed their condolences.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who led a federal government delegation on a condolence visit to the Emir of Suleja, Alhaji Awwal Ibrahim, explained that the president is deeply distressed by these incidents. He noted that four major explosions had occurred in recent months, with the most recent being the tragedy in Niger State, where nearly 80 people perished. These incidents have caused a total of over 265 deaths, which Idris described as deeply concerning.
As a result, the federal government has formed a committee composed of key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Information, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, NEMA, the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association, and others, to investigate the causes and find solutions to prevent such disasters.
Furthermore, Idris emphasized the government’s campaign to educate the public about the dangers of rushing to the scene of tanker accidents to scoop fuel, a practice that has led to numerous deaths. The government is committed to stopping this behavior, and the committee will propose long-term solutions to the problem.
In response to the victims’ medical needs, Idris announced that the federal government had ordered the immediate transfer of critically injured victims from the Suleja General Hospital to tertiary health facilities for better care. He also conveyed President Tinubu’s concern, noting that emergency medical teams were actively ensuring that victims received the necessary treatment, including evacuation to intensive care units.
