The death toll from the petrol tanker explosion at Dikko Junction, Niger State, has climbed to 86, while 55 others remain hospitalized with injuries.

This update was disclosed by the Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba-Arah, in a statement on Sunday.

The explosion, which occurred on Saturday morning, resulted from a speeding fuel tanker that crashed and spilled its contents on the road.

The subsequent inferno claimed lives as some residents attempted to scoop fuel while others tried to rescue them.

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Baba-Arah revealed that a mass burial for 80 victims was conducted at the Dikko Primary Healthcare Centre premises between 5 pm and midnight, with the assistance of the Gurara Local Government Area and local volunteers.

Five victims were claimed by their families for private burials, while one succumbed to injuries at the healthcare center.

Governor Issues Bridge Ban and Urges Caution

In response to the tragedy, Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago visited the site and issued a directive prohibiting vehicles coming from the Maje axis from using the Dikko Bridge.

He ordered them to take the underpass and follow the designated U-turn route instead.

The governor criticized the reckless behavior of some drivers and called for stricter enforcement of road safety regulations in the area.

He directed the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to establish a detachment at Dikko Junction to enforce compliance and urged transport unions to cooperate with the FRSC.

“Niger State Government has directed that no vehicle coming from the Maje axis should be allowed to pass over the Dikko Bridge,” confirmed Bologi Ibrahim, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, in a statement.

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Emergency Response and Medical Support

Governor Bago commended the collaborative efforts of NSEMA, the Fire Service, the FRSC, and other stakeholders in evacuating victims and managing the aftermath of the explosion.

He announced that doctors from hospitals in Minna would be redeployed to assist with the treatment of the injured currently receiving care at Suleja General Hospital.

Community in Mourning

The tragic explosion has plunged the Dikko community into mourning as families grieve the loss of their loved ones.

Residents and officials have called for heightened safety measures to prevent future disasters of this nature.

A devastating petrol tanker explosion on Saturday claimed the lives of no fewer than 50 people along the Dikko-Maje Road in the Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State.

The tragic incident occurred when a tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) overturned, spilling its contents on the road.

According to Kumar Tsukwam, the Federal Road Safety Commander, those who attempted to scoop the spilt fuel were engulfed in flames, along with others who tried to rescue them.

“More than 50 people lost their lives in the tragic incident,” Tsukwam told the News Agency of Nigeria. He added that personnel from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other emergency agencies were working tirelessly at the scene to rescue those trapped.

The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba-Arah, explained that the explosion occurred around 9 a.m. during an attempt to transfer fuel from the crashed tanker to another. The PMS reportedly came into contact with a generator used in the transfer process, sparking the fire.

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Baba-Arah noted that the explosion not only claimed lives but also left many injured and caused significant property damage. “Those injured have been moved to the hospital for treatment while efforts are being made to recover the corpses of the deceased,” he stated.

The state governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, describing it as “worrisome, heartbreaking, and unfortunate.” His Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, said the governor had called for caution among road users and urged residents to prioritise their safety.

“The governor sympathises with the families of the victims of the explosion and prays that Allah will repose the souls of the departed and heal the injured,” Ibrahim said.

NSEMA, in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other local groups, is continuing search, rescue, and recovery efforts. Authorities have urged the public to remain calm and cooperate with emergency responders as they work to mitigate the effects of the disaster.

The pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, has surged to between N1,050 and N1,150 per litre in various parts of Nigeria, following a price increase by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and other depot operators.

Marketers have attributed the hike to the rising global cost of crude oil, which now exceeds $80 per barrel, and the effects of deregulation in the downstream petroleum sector.

The National President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Festus Osifo, highlighted the trend, stating, “Without exchange rate improvements, PMS prices will increase in the coming weeks.”

On Friday, Dangote Refinery revised its PMS price from N899.50 to N955 per litre at its loading gantry. Bulk buyers of five million litres and above were charged N950 per litre, while smaller volumes were priced higher.

In an official communication titled ‘Communication on PMS Price Review,’ the refinery noted, “Effective from 5:30 pm today (Friday), an upward adjustment has been implemented on the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit. Please note that all stock balances yet to be lifted as of the above-stated time are to be repriced at the new reviewed prices.”

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Private depots also adjusted their prices, with Lagos depots now charging N970 per litre, while depots in Calabar increased their rates to N1,000 per litre.

Chinedu Ukadike, National Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), projected retail prices exceeding N1,150 in remote areas. He noted, “This change is immediate because crude oil prices, too, are immediate. Deregulation in this sector means price will be controlled by forces of demand and supply.”

Similarly, the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) indicated that retail prices would reflect depot and logistical costs, with some stations selling at N1,000 per litre or more.

Olatide Jeremiah, CEO of petroleumprice.ng, reinforced the link between rising crude oil prices and local fuel costs, adding, “Dangote refinery’s influence on fuel price has become unmatched. Nigerians should expect an increase in the pump prices of petrol.”

As the sector grapples with these developments, stakeholders have called for strategies to stabilise prices and mitigate the economic impact on consumers.