In a devastating accident early Wednesday, October 16, 2024, a petrol tanker explosion in Majiya town, Taura Local Government Area, Jigawa State, resulted in 94 fatalities and left 50 others with severe injuries. The incident occurred when a petrol tanker traveling from Kano to Yobe lost control and overturned near Khadija University at approximately 12:30 AM.
According to police reports, the explosion was triggered when local residents rushed to the scene to scoop the spilled petrol. The resulting fire engulfed the crowd, leading to a horrific inferno that killed most on the spot.
Jigawa State Police Command spokesperson DSP Lawan Adam confirmed the incident, stressing that all the victims suffered critical burns. Emergency responders swiftly transported the injured to Ringim and Hadejia General Hospitals, where they are receiving treatment. Local authorities, in collaboration with community members, have begun mass burials for the deceased.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with people frantically trying to escape the fast-spreading flames. Sani Umar, an eyewitness who narrowly survived, recounted how panic ensued as the fire quickly overwhelmed the area, trapping many.
The Commissioner of Police in Jigawa State, AT Abdullahi, expressed his condolences to the families affected, stating, “This is an unimaginable loss for the entire state. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased and those in the hospitals fighting for their lives.”
Authorities have since launched an awareness campaign, urging the public to report such accidents to the relevant authorities and avoid gathering around fuel spills due to the high risk of explosions. This incident has once again highlighted the dangers associated with fuel scooping, a recurring problem in the region.
Efforts are now being made to provide immediate assistance to the affected families, while the state government has promised to review safety measures on highways to prevent future occurrences of such accidents.
This tragedy marks one of the deadliest fuel-related explosions in Nigeria’s recent history, reigniting calls for improved road safety and public awareness around tanker accidents.
