The tragic aftermath of Tuesday’s fuel tanker explosion in Jigawa State has claimed the lives of 168 individuals, with more than 100 others suffering injuries of varying severity and currently receiving treatment across multiple hospitals. The devastating incident has sparked widespread grief and calls for improved safety measures.
Survivor Sabitu Yahaya shared a harrowing account of his near-death experience. He recounted how he narrowly escaped the inferno that engulfed the area, resulting in severe burns to his legs. In his desperate attempt to rescue his younger siblings, Yahaya tragically lost two brothers in the chaos.
“I fell victim when I went in search of my younger ones to drag them away from the scene,” he explained. “I got burnt from my knees down to my legs because the petrol splashed around on the ground.”
Eyewitnesses reported that many individuals flocked to the site to collect spilled fuel, which likely contributed to the rapid escalation of the fire.
Yahaya emphasized that the explosion was not ignited by matches or any external flame but was instead caused by friction from metal containers used by those attempting to scoop the fuel.
“The fire was never ignited by a matchstick; it was caused by frictions from metals used by the people to fetch the petrol,” he stated.
The Secretary to the State Government, Senator George Akume, visited the affected area on Wednesday, accompanied by key government officials, including the Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, and Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Ojo.
During their visit, Akume offered assurances of government support for the victims and their families. “We are here to extend our condolences and assure you that the government is committed to providing necessary assistance to all affected by this tragic incident,” he said.
According to Dr. Nuraddeen Abdullahi, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Coordinator for the Kano Territorial Office, the death toll continues to rise as recovery efforts progress.
He confirmed that victims have been transported to hospitals in Dutse, Birnin Kudu, Gumel, Hadejia in Jigawa State, as well as in Nguru, Yobe, and the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) in Kano.
Local authorities and health workers are mobilizing to provide necessary care to the injured. Hospitals in the region are reportedly overwhelmed with patients, necessitating additional support from nearby healthcare facilities.
As the community grapples with the loss, many are calling for urgent measures to enhance safety regulations surrounding fuel transportation and storage to prevent future tragedies.
The Jigawa State government has vowed to investigate the incident thoroughly to determine the root causes and hold those responsible accountable.
The tragic loss of life in this disaster has left families shattered and communities mourning. Survivors like Yahaya now bear the physical and emotional scars of a day that changed their lives forever, reminding all of the critical importance of safety in hazardous situations.
