January 19, 2025
The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba Arah, on Sunday, disclosed that a total of 86 bodies have been recovered and buried following the tragic tanker explosion at Dikko Junction in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State.
He said that 80 victims were buried in a mass grave at the Dikko Primary Health Care premises while five were claimed by their relatives for private burial, and one victim died at the healthcare center.
The Dikko Junction explosion occurred when a tanker transporting fuel from Kaduna to Gwagwalada overturned at the junction, spilling its contents.
The tanker exploded when some residents attempted to scoop fuel spilling onto the tarred road, it exploded in a massive blaze. The explosion killed both those collecting fuel and others attempting to rescue them
The mass burial, organized by NSEMA in collaboration with Gurara local government officials and volunteers, lasted from 5 p.m. to midnight.
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According to Arah, 55 individuals sustained injuries in the incident and are currently receiving medical treatment.
Meanwhile, Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago visited the scene of the tragic explosion on Saturday and has issued a ban on vehicles coming from the Maje axis from passing over the Dikko Bridge.
The governor gave the directive while inspecting the scene of the tanker explosion at Dikko Junction, Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State.
Bago, decrying the recklessness of some drivers, stated that it was unacceptable for vehicles coming from Maje to use the bridge, directing them instead to follow the underpass and take the appropriate U-turn.
