The Niger State Government has held a mass burial for victims of the petrol tanker explosion that took place in Essa village, Katcha Local Government Area, and has also approved full free medical care for those who survived the incident.
This was revealed in a statement issued on Thursday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Bologi Ibrahim. He explained that the decision was made after a state government delegation, led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Murtala Bagana, visited the explosion site and the hospitals where the injured victims are being treated.
It was confirmed in the statement that a mass burial was conducted for the deceased victims in Katcha, with special prayers held for the repose of their souls and quick recovery for the injured.
“A mass burial for the deceased victims was conducted in Katcha with a special prayer for the repose of their souls and quick recovery for the injured.
“The state government confirmed that normalcy has returned to the affected community and reaffirmed its commitment to the safety and well-being of all residents,” the statement partly read.
According to the government, about 50 people sustained injuries in the incident, with some receiving medical attention for burns and others for inhalation-related injuries.
“The Niger State Government has approved comprehensive free medical care for all the surviving victims of the Essa tanker explosion.
“Out of the about 50 injured persons, some are receiving medical attention for burns, others for inhalation-related injuries at various health facilities such as the Federal Medical Center (FMC) Bida and General Hospitals Bida as well as Agaie, while those severely injured are in the National Hospital Abuja, Gwagwalada Specialist, and FMC Jabi,” the statement added.
The government also announced that drugs and medical supplies worth over ₦10 million had been provided to hospitals treating the victims, alongside cash donations to affected families receiving care.
“The state government has also provided drugs and medical supplies worth over ₦10 million to support hospitals treating the victims and presented cash donations to the affected families receiving care in the hospitals,” it stated.
It further commended the management of the FMC Bida for its swift response, as well as the State Ministry of Health, Emergency Response Teams, and the Katcha Local Government Authority for coordinating rescue and medical operations.
“The state government commended the management of the FMC Bida for their swift response and professional support while appreciating the State Ministry of Health, Emergency Response Teams, and the Katcha Local Government Authority, who are jointly coordinating the rescue and medical operations,” the government said.
The statement also urged residents to desist from scooping fuel from fallen tankers, warning that such acts endanger lives.
“It further enjoined the federal government to expedite action in fixing all federal roads in the state to avoid recurrence, as the poor state of the Jebba–Mokwa–Bida–Agaie–Lapai–Lambata road contributed to the tragic incident,” it added.
