Up to 37 people have reportedly died while nine others survived with various degrees of burns in a fuel tanker explosion Sunday morning in Dendo community of Agaie local government area of Niger state.
Blueprint learnt that 50 cows also lost their lives in the accident.
The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Niger state, Kumar Tsukwan, confirmed the incident in Minna on Sunday.
He explained that the high casualty figure was due to the involvement of another trailer with several passengers and cows which ran into the scene of the explosion even when it had been cautioned.
Eyewitness account said the driver of the commercial trailer heading from Lagos did not stop or listen to the people who waved him to avert the calamity before the articulated vehicle got to the scene and caught fire.
Meanwhile, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger state has expressed sadness over loss of lives and properties in the tanker explosion.
The governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, said he is pained by the unfortunate incident and the colossal loss incurred.
He said, “While commiserating with all those who suffered losses in the incident. The State Government through the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) and other relevant organisations have been mobilised to the scene of accident for rescue operation and other necessary actions”.
Bago called for calm by the residents of the affected area, and also enjoins road users to always be cautious and abide by road traffic regulations to safeguard lives and property.