A petrol tanker explosion in Majiya Town, Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State, resulted in a tragic loss of over 90 lives and left 50 others hospitalized early Wednesday morning.
The incident occurred around 12:30 AM when the tanker, en route from Kano to Nguru in Yobe State, lost control near Khadija University in Majiya.
According to DSP Lawan Adam, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Jigawa State Command, the explosion was triggered when local residents rushed to collect petrol from the overturned tanker.
Although Channels Television obtained images of the severely burned victims, they could not be shared due to their graphic nature.
“The residents were scooping fuel from the overturned tanker when the explosion occurred, sparking a massive inferno that killed 94 people on the spot,” DSP Adam explained.
“The incident left another 50 people severely injured, who were then rushed to Ringim and Hadejia General Hospitals for treatment.”
DSP Adam disclosed that the authorities have commenced a mass burial for the victims on Wednesday morning, with the entire community mourning the loss.
He described the scene as a “horrific tragedy,” emphasising the need for the public to understand the risks associated with scooping fuel from accident scenes.
Commissioner of Police in Jigawa State, AT Abdullahi, expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and the entire people of Jigawa State.
“This is a heartbreaking moment for us all,” he said. “We share in the pain and sorrow of the families affected. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the bereaved.”
The commissioner called for increased public awareness regarding the dangers of petrol explosions and urged residents to report such incidents to relevant authorities.
“We appeal to the public to notify security agencies or relevant stakeholders when such accidents occur to prevent loss of life. Safety must be our priority,” he added.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic and filled with despair, as many struggled to rescue the injured amid the raging flames.
A resident, Sani Umar who narrowly escaped the inferno, recounted, “It was terrifying. People were running in all directions, screaming for help. The fire spread so quickly that many couldn’t escape.”