Petrol Tanker Explosion In Dikko, Niger State, Leaves Over 50 Dead
Tragedy struck the ever busy, hustling and bustling town of Dikko, along the Abuja-Kaduna highway in Niger State, on Saturday, January 18, 2025, as a petrol tanker fell, and later went up in flames.
According to reports, petrol started spilling from the fallen tanker tempting some persons to take advantage of the free petrol pouring on the gutter and started scooping the spilled fuel.
Eye witnesses said suddenly, there was explosion, and over 50 persons including a pregnant woman, another woman carrying a week-old child, as well as some children who were also scooping Petrol, were caught in the inferno and were completely burnt to death.
The Federal Road Safety Commission that were involved in the rescue mission confirmed that over 50 bodies were recovered from the scene of the explosion.
It was gathered that though the officials of the Niger State Fire service responded in good time and tried to put the fire under control, the fire from the petrol which poured from the tanker had already done so much damage.
Also, a member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Dikko junction branch who said he witnessed the unfortunate incident and also participated in the rescue team, said the casualty figure should be far higher than 50 persons.
It was further gathered that some people were shouting and advising them to leave the spot and desist from scooping the petrol for their own good, but they did not heed the advice.
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