In a devastating incident that highlights Nigeria's ongoing fuel crisis, at least 70 people were killed and more than 56 others injured when a fuel tanker exploded during an illegal transfer operation at Dikko Junction along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway.
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The tragedy unfolded in the early hours of Saturday when a gasoline-laden tanker attempted to transfer its contents to another vehicle at the junction, located approximately 420 miles northeast of Lagos. According to the Nigerian National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), spilled fuel came into contact with an active generator being used to power the transfer operation, triggering a massive explosion.
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Kumar Tsukwam, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) sector commander for Niger state, confirmed that most victims were local residents who had gathered to scoop up spilled petrol despite warnings from authorities. "Large crowd of people gathered to scoop fuel despite concerted efforts to stop them," Tsukwam stated. "Suddenly, the tanker burst into flames, engulfing another tanker."
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The resulting inferno destroyed nearby shops and property before firefighters could contain the blaze. This incident follows a similar disaster in Jigawa state last October that claimed 147 lives, marking a disturbing pattern in Africa's most populous nation.
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The accident underscores the desperate measures some Nigerians are taking amid a severe cost of living crisis, exacerbated by a more than 400% increase in fuel prices following President Bola Tinubu's removal of decades-old fuel subsidies in May 2023.
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In response to the tragedy, Bologi Ibrahim, spokesperson for the Niger state governor, urged residents to prioritize safety when encountering fuel tanker accidents, highlighting the ongoing challenge of preventing such disasters in Africa's largest oil-producing nation.
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Emergency services continue to work at the scene, with authorities warning the death toll could rise as recovery efforts proceed.
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This incident marks one of the deadliest fuel-related accidents in Nigeria this year, prompting calls for stricter safety measures and better regulation of fuel transportation across the country.
https://x.com/BenefitNews24/status/1880835712439947609

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January 19, 2025 | 10:14 IST