By Ezekiel David
Niger State’s Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has linked a truck driver’s disregard for a passenger’s warning to the large number of casualties in the most recent tanker explosion on the Lapai-Agaie road.
The deadly incident, which occurred last Sunday, claimed 48 lives, including 50 cows, and resulted in the destruction of several vehicles.
President Bola Tinubu and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, expressed their condolences to the families of the victims and the Niger State government. The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) confirmed that the remains of the deceased were given a mass burial in Agaie town on the same day.
According to a statement from the FRSC, one of the passengers in the truck had alerted the driver about a fire from a nearby fuel tanker. However, the driver dismissed the warning, believing it was just a “mere tyre” burning. As the truck approached the tanker, it was engulfed in flames, leading to the immediate death of 35 people, with two more succumbing to injuries in the hospital, bringing the total fatalities to 37.
FRSC Sector Commander Kumar Tsukwam also cited over-speeding as a contributing factor to the accident. He explained that the tanker, which was transporting fuel from Lagos to Kano, lost control due to excessive speed, overturned, and caught fire. Eighteen people were injured in the incident, with one later dying in the hospital.
The Agaie Local Government Area has been tasked with removing the charred cars from the accident scene, according to Hussain Ibrahim, the Public Relations Officer for NSEMA, with NSEMA offering support as needed.
President Tinubu praised locals for helping the wounded and the quick response of federal and state emergency authorities in a statement sent by his adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga. In an effort to increase road safety, he asked federal agencies to work with state governments and promised to continue supporting relief operations.
Along with Governor Mohammed Bago and the people of Niger State, especially in Agaie Local Government Area, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu also sent her sympathies. She prayed for the bereaved families’ courage and consolation in a heartfelt statement.
Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammad Idris also expressed his sorrow over the tragedy, joining the nation in mourning the loss of lives and praying for the strength of the affected families.
(Source: ThisDay)
