At least 105 people are feared dead, and 55 others injured after a petrol-laden tanker overturned and exploded along the Kano-Hadejia expressway in Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State, according to the state police command.
The incident happened late Tuesday, October 15, when the tanker lost control near Majia Town, close to Khadija University.
According to reports, dozens of residents rushed to the scene to scoop petrol from the overturned tanker before it exploded, which resulted in a massive fire that claimed many lives.
Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert, said in an X post that the explosion took place around 11:45 p.m. and the fire continued until 3:15 a.m. on Wednesday.
He added that the blast left at least 300 people with severe injuries, although police stated that the number of injured is 50.
But reacting on Wednesday, Shi’isu Adam, spokesperson for the Jigawa police command, said the victims were caught in the inferno while attempting to scoop fuel from the tanker after it overturned.
Adam expressed concern that despite repeated warnings from authorities to avoid accident sites involving fuel tankers, locals continued to engage in risky behavior.
He said a mass burial for the victims was scheduled for 9 a.m. on Wednesday, while the injured are currently receiving treatment at Ringim General Hospital.
“At about 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday in Majia Town, Taura local government area of Jigawa, the tanker driver lost control near Khadija University and it exploded.
“The driver left Kano and was heading to Nguru in Yobe when the accident happened.
“We are worried that in spite of police warning for people to steer clear from scenes of accidents involving fuel tankers, they still engage in such acts.
“People gathered around the accident scene. That is the reason for the mass casualty,” Adam said