105 die, over 55 hospitalised in Jigawa tanker explosion
By: Ahmed Aminu, Dutse
Police on Wednesday said 105 people have died and over 55 hospitalised when a petrol tanker exploded in Majia village in Jigawa State.
It was learnt that the tragic incident happened on Tuesday, around 11 pm, when the tanker driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed.
As the contents spilled into the surrounding areas, locals trooped out to scoop the fuel, and in the process, the tanker with the number plate KMC 6412 F, exploded.
The driver, identified as Yusuf Mohammad, was heading to Nguru in Yobe state from Kano.
DSP Lawan Shiisu Adam, the Police Public Relations Officer in Jigawa, who confirmed the incident to newsmen in Dutse on Wednesday, added that those injured were to Ringim General Hospital for medical attention.
“The residents were scooping fuel from the overturned tanker when the explosion occurred, sparking a massive inferno that killed 105 people on the spot.
“The incident left another 55 people severely injured, who were then rushed to Ringim and Hadejia General Hospitals for treatment,” he said.
Jigawa State’s Commissioner of Police, A.T Abdullahi, extended condolences to the people of Majia town and the state at large.
He urged citizens to exercise caution and avoid scenes of petrol tanker accidents, as it often results in fire.
