The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar lll-led Jama’atu Nasril Islam has called on the Federal Government to take urgent action against tanker explosions and criminalities in the country.
The Sultan of Sokoto who’s the spiritual leader of Nigeria’s Muslim, prayed for the victims of the unfortunate incidents.
In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Prof. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, in Kaduna on Sunday, the JNI expressed deep concern over the recent tanker explosion in Niger State that claimed over 80 lives.
The organization described the incident as “one too many” and called on the government to take concrete steps to prevent future occurrences.
The group called on the federal government to review the safety protocols guiding fuel transportation in Nigeria, saying “the repeated explosion calls for serious review.”
“We are desirous of more concrete actions against all forms of unfortunate incidents, criminals and criminalities. The repeated explosion calls for serious review of the safety protocols guiding fuel transportation in Nigeria,” the JNI said
The JNI also urged the government to provide maximal surveillance on explosion-prone highways and to expedite action in completing the 40-kilometer Suleja-Minna road, a dual carriageway connecting Abuja and Niger State, which has been ongoing for over 20 years.
“At the instance of its President-General, His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji(Dr.) Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, JNI received with utmost concern the unfortunate truck explosion arising from a tanker conveying petroleum products.
“The gory incident is just but an addition to the series of many others of such explosions in recent time. It is so unfortunate that tankers conveying petroleum products are now sources of disastrous road accidents, with agonizing loss of lives and property, in Nigeria.
“The Dikko junction incident is too much of a tragedy to be waived, taking into account that the junction is on a major highway connecting northern Nigeria, particularly the Northwest to southern Nigeria. More so, the same episodes have occurred in the most recent past in Jigawa State twice.
“Be as it may, JNI is genuinely worried over the serial explosions from petroleum tankers, without any seeming efforts by relevant stakeholders to address the misnomer.
“We beseech Allah’s infinite mercy upon the departed souls, praying for their repose in Jannatul-Firdaws. We also seek Allah, the Most Compassionate, to grant patience and solace to the bereaved families during this incredibly difficult time,” the statement added.