Over 100 burnt alive as tanker explosion hits Niger

No fewer than 100 people have been reportedly burnt alive in a tanker explosion in Niger State.

Also, no fewer than 50 cattle were burnt to ashes during the accident which happened on Lapai-Agaie road yesterday.

It was reliably gathered that the tanker loaded with petrol collided with another trailer loaded with passengers and cows.

Villagers close to the scene of the accident confirmed that no fewer than 100 people were confirmed dead following the explosion.

Reacting to the incident, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, NSEMA, confirmed that 30 people were dead while the rescue operation was still going on.

The NSEMA said, “The tragic accident occured in Dendo community in Agaie LGA of the state.

“We (NSEMA) received a report of a deadly tanker explosion that occurred on September 8, 2024, about 12.30a.m., along Lapai-Agaie, 2km from Dendo community in Agaie LGA .

“The incident occurred when a petrol tanker loaded with PMS collided with a trailer truck loaded with travellers and cattle from Wudil in Kano State, heading to Lagos. Two other vehicles, a crane truck and a pickup van were also caught in the incident.

“No fewer than 30 people are already confirmed dead with over 50 cattle burnt alive and NSEMA’s Rapid Respond Team, RRT, in conjunction with LGEMCs, is still at the scene of the incident conducting search and response operation as more corpses are still trapped inside the trucks."

But one of the villagers, Abubakar Agaie, confirmed to Vanguard, “We counted about 100 people burnt in the accident and the rescue operation is still going on.

“Our people could not go close to the affected vehicles due to the magnitude of the fire, hence the great loss of lives and property.

Meanwhile, the state Governor, Mohammed Bago, has expressed sadness over the loss of lives and property in the explosion.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, the governor said he was pained by the unfortunate incident and the colossal loss recorded.

The governor called for calm by the residents of the affected area and enjoined road users to always be cautious and abide by road traffic regulations to safeguard lives and property.