The video captures the moment some residents of Jigawa State were seen scooping fuel before the explosion from the tanker.
The death toll from the tanker explosion in Majia town, Jigawa, has risen to 170.
This update comes from the Jigawa State Management Agency (SEMA), which also reported that 70 victims are currently receiving treatment in Jigawa and neighboring states, including Kano and Yobe.
In a statement regarding the incident, SEMA’s Executive Director, Haruna Maigida, noted that community sensitization efforts have already begun.
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He said, “As of today, the update is 170 dead. This morning, four died in Nguru increasing the number and 70 are still in different hospitals.”
“Generally people are not aware of the magnitude of what it can cause to go and scoop fuel. We have to continue on sensitization so that awareness is heightened,” he said.
Maigida reported that after the tanker overturned, some residents took advantage of the situation and siphoned off fuel.
“We have gone out to every house to sensitive them for those who stored fuel in their houses to discard it so that they will not cause another havoc,” Maigida said.
Since the incident, the mood in Majia has been somber, with nearly every household grieving the loss of a loved one.
The graveyard, where a mass burial took place on Wednesday, stands desolate near the main road leading to Jigawa and Yobe, close to where the petrol tanker overturned.
One of the victims, Sani Ahmed, shared his harrowing experience with Channels Television.
“I just saw a lot of people gathering and scooping fuel. Others were taking pictures. Suddenly, I saw a huge fire that burnt me,” Ahmed said.
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Many of the young people who lost their lives are within the age range of 19 to 25 years as Abdullahi Majia mourns the loss of his three sons.
“Tuesday is a day I will never forget my children gone just like that,” he said.
Bello Ahmed, who has been caring for his brother in the hospital, expressed his appreciation for the government’s efforts.
“I thank god and the government for the recovery of my brother and others here,” he said.
A medical practitioner at the hospital says they are overwhelmed but are doing their best to help the victims recover
“We received 14 victims and they are all improving. We were overwhelmed on the first day but we are doing our best to help them recover,” the medical personnel said.
President Bola Tinubu has ordered immediate investigations into the condition of Nigerian roads and initiated awareness campaigns about the dangers of scooping fuel during tanker accidents.
See video below: Credit: Premium Times
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