There was wailing on Wednesday in Majiya town, in the Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State, following the explosion of a petrol-laden tanker, leading to the death of at least 153 people.
It was reported that 94 persons lost their lives on the spot, while many injured others were rushed to Ringim General Hospital with doctors battling to save their lives.
Due to the high number of casualties, other victims were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre in Birnin Kudu, when there was no more bed space at Ringim Hospital.
President Bola Tinubu, his wife, Oluremi, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, governors and many other Nigerians expressed grief over the incident.
The Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency confirmed 147 were given mass burial, following the explosion, with over 55 admitted to various hospitals.
Most of the victims were burnt beyond recognition.
At the time of going to bed, a statement from the Public Relations Officer of the Jigawa State Police Command, Lawan Shiisu Adam, confirmed 153 dead and over 100 receiving treatment in hospitals.
The deceased were given a mass burial in Majiya town on Wednesday.
The incident occurred at about 11:30 pm on Tuesday in Majia, when the tanker driver lost control near Khadija University.
The tanker was said to have left Kano and was on its way to Nguru town in Yobe State before the driver lost control and it fell with its content.
It was gathered that after the incident, some people went there to scoop the product, a development that eventually led to the explosion.
Confirming the number of casualties as 147, the Executive Secretary of the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Haruna Mairiga, said his men rescued about 50 other persons to different hospitals in the state.
He said, “When we got there, initially we were told about 95 persons died but during the mass burial, we were able to count 147 bodies whom we all gave mass burial.
“We also rescued about 50 injured persons to different hospitals in the state “
The police spokesman, in his confirmation, said, “The devastating incident occurred on October 15, 2024, at about 2230hrs, involving a petrol tanker with registration number KMC 6412 F, driven by one Yusuf Mohd ‘m’ age 32yrs of Hotoro Quarters, Kano State.
“The tanker was travelling from Kano to Nguru, Yobe State, when the driver lost control near Khadija University in Majia town, Taura LGA, causing it to overturn and spill fuel.
“The petrol entered through the drainage to the outskirts of the village. Unfortunately, villagers attempted to scoop petrol from the drainage, resulting in a flame that engulfed the area and many people reportedly perished.”
He said the Area Commander Ringim, Divisional Police Officer Gujungu and their men swiftly raced to the scene.
“One hundred and five (105) corpses have been evacuated, while 50 injured persons were rushed to Ringim and Hadejia General Hospitals for medical attention.
“The fire was successfully extinguished through the combined efforts of police officers, firefighters, and good Samaritans.
The police command attributed the high number of casualties and injured persons to desperate moves by the people in the area to scoop the product.
Adam said, ”Despite the efforts of the police, who had cordoned off the area and issued warnings to the public, people resisted and started scooping the fuel, triggering a devastating explosion,” he said.
He added that the police struggled to keep control of the scene, with many bystanders ignoring warnings and moving dangerously close to the accident site.
“The tanker, loaded with petrol, ignited shortly after the crash, causing an inferno that engulfed numerous people in the vicinity.
“The injured were immediately rushed to the General Hospital at Ringim, where medical personnel are working around the clock to treat the victims.
“However, the death toll is likely to rise as several of the injured remain in critical condition.”
He said the state Commissioner of Police, A.T. Abdullahi, has since condoled and sympathised with the residents of the state, especially the people of Majiya town where the incident happened.
Commiserating with the people, Governor Umar Namadi expressed sorrow over the tragic loss of lives.