Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, has announced a cash donation of ₦1 million to each family of those who lost their lives in Tuesday’s petrol tanker explosion in Essa, Katcha Local Government Area of the state.
The governor also pledged ₦500,000 to each of the injured survivors currently receiving treatment in hospitals across Bida and Abuja.
Bago made the announcement on Thursday during a condolence visit to the affected community, where he conducted an on-the-spot assessment and met with local leaders and residents.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, the governor expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident, which occurred around 3:45 p.m. along the Bida–Badegi–Agaie Road after a fallen tanker caught fire while residents were scooping fuel.
The Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Arah, confirmed that the death toll had risen to 42, while 52 others sustained varying degrees of injury.
Arah attributed the explosion to the poor state of the road and the intense heat at the time, which contributed to the ignition of the spilled petrol.
Governor Bago condemned the recurring practice of residents scooping fuel from accident scenes, describing it as “both dangerous and criminal.”
“It is a terrible thing that a truck will fall, and people will rush to scoop petrol.
It is theft and must be addressed as such. We can’t continue to encourage this act,” he said.
While sympathising with the victims’ families, the governor urged residents to act responsibly during such emergencies and assist in rescue efforts rather than endanger their lives.
Bago also disclosed that business magnate Aliko Dangote had pledged to repair the Mokwa–Lambata Road, a project expected to commence soon.