President Bola Tinubu has established a high-powered committee to investigate and prevent future tanker explosions, following a devastating incident in Niger State that claimed 88 lives. This move comes after a series of similar incidents occurred between September 2024 and January 2025, resulting in the loss of 265 lives ¹.
The committee, comprising representatives from various ministries and stakeholders, aims to determine the causes of these incidents and propose measures to prevent them. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, emphasized the need for public awareness campaigns to educate people on the dangers of scooping fuel from fallen tankers.
Idris also announced that the federal government has directed the immediate transfer of victims from Suleja General Hospital to tertiary health facilities for prompt and enhanced medical care. President Tinubu has directed the provision of comprehensive medical care to the injured and advised citizens to exercise caution when approaching accident sites involving fuel-laden vehicles.
The incident in Niger State has sparked widespread sympathy, with prominent Nigerians, including former President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President Kashim Shettima, offering condolences to the victims and their families. The Emir of Suleja, Alhaji Awwal Ibrahim, has also appealed to the government to set up public enlightenment centers and convene town hall meetings to educate people on the dangers of scooping fuel from fallen tankers.
The tanker explosion in Niger State is one of several incidents that have occurred in recent months, highlighting the need for urgent action to prevent such tragedies. In October 2024, a fuel tanker explosion in Jigawa State claimed the lives of over 170 people, while another incident in September 2024 resulted in the loss of 59 lives.
As the committee begins its work, it is clear that addressing the root causes of these incidents will require a multi-faceted approach, involving government agencies, stakeholders, and the public. By working together, it is possible to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
The federal government’s response to the incident has been swift, with President Tinubu directing the provision of comprehensive medical care to the injured and advising citizens to exercise caution when approaching accident sites. The government has also announced plans to establish a committee to investigate the incident and propose measures to prevent future occurrences.
