Politician and former presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has commemorated with victims of the Niger State oil tanker explosion.
Obi’s outpour follows reports of the tragic incident that occurred in the early hours of Sunday, along the Lapai-Agaie road, approximately 2 kilometres from Dendo Community in the Agaie Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State.
The incident, which occurred around 12:30 am, involved a petrol tanker loaded with petrol that collided with a truck carrying passengers and cattle.
The trailer, coming from Wudil in Kano State and en route to Lagos, was heavily impacted by the collision, which led to a massive explosion.
Two other vehicles, a crane truck, and a pickup van, were also caught in the inferno, intensifying the devastation.
Initial reports indicate that more than 48 persons lost their lives in the inferno, while over 50 cattle were burnt alive.
The 48 bodies were given a mass burial on Sunday.
While commenting on the incident, Obi said he “pained” by the losses.
“I have just read the disheartening reports of the deadly tanker explosion which occurred today at Agaie Local Government Area of Niger State where no fewer than 30 human lives were lost and about 50 cattle burnt.
“This unfortunate incident is occurring less than 24 hours after a similar tanker explosion caused serious damages in Ibadan, Oyo state capital on Saturday.
“I am pained by the loss of human lives, and other means of livelihood in the two tragic events. I thank the safety and emergency agencies that arrived the scene for search and rescue operations. “I sincerely condole with all the affected families who lost their loved ones to this tragedy. I equally commiserate with the government and people of Niger and Oyo States over this tragic occurrence.
“May God comfort them, and all of us, who share in the pains of this sad incidents in our nation. I pray God Almighty to forgive the sins of the dead and grant them eternal rest, and grant quick and full recovery to the injured,” he wrote on his official X handle.