President Bola Tinubu has issued new directives after a fuel tanker explosion at Dikko Junction, Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State, claimed 86 lives and left many others injured.
NewsNGR reports that the incident brought the country’s death toll from tanker explosion incidents between October 2024 and January 2025 to 262.
In October, Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State reported that 181 people died following the tanker explosion that occurred in the state on October 15, 2024.
The latest tragedy occurred on Saturday in Niger State when people were scooping Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from an overturned tanker.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), in an update on Sunday, said 80 bodies were buried in a mass grave while five corpses were taken away by relatives.
One other victim died after the mass burial, said NSEMA Director-General Abdullah Baba Arah.
In response, President Tinubu directed security and road safety agencies to implement stricter measures to ensure the safety of road users.
This was a similar directive given by the president when 181 citizens were killed in the Jigawa incident.
Tinubu also mandated the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to launch a nationwide public awareness campaign on the risks associated with scooping fuel and the environmental hazards it poses.
“President Tinubu strongly advises all citizens to exercise caution and avoid approaching accident sites, especially those involving fuel-laden vehicles, due to their highly explosive nature,” said Onanuga.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who also expressed dismay at the incident, confirmed that the federal government would conduct a comprehensive review of transportation safety measures.
The fuel-laden tanker was en route from Kaduna to Gwagwalada when it overturned at Dikko Junction.
After the Jigawa incident in October, President Tinubu directed the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps to investigate and propose permanent solutions to prevent future tanker explosions.