Jigawa tanker explosion death toll reaches 180
The death toll from the petrol tanker explosion in Majia town, Jigawa State, has climbed to 180 as of Sunday, October 20, according to residents speaking to newsmen.
The explosion occurred on Tuesday, October 15, when a truck transporting petrol from Kano to Nguru in Yobe State overturned, leading to the immediate deaths of more than 100 people and injuring many others who were attempting to collect the spilled fuel.
The explosion represents a tragic first for Majia, a predominantly agrarian community in Jigawa known for its economic activities.
Jabir Abdullahi Majia, a resident, shared with journalists, “Those who lost loved ones are still grieving as the death toll keeps rising. I work at Adams Science Tahfizul Quran, and the truck fell right in front of our school gate. The community is still in mourning today.”
He emphasized that the memory of the explosion will forever be etched in the community’s minds, as nearly every family experienced a loss. Mustapha Abdullahi Majia revealed that his family lost around 52 relatives, stating, “It was a horrific situation that we have never encountered before in this town. My family lost about 52 blood relatives.”
Another resident, Adamu Lawan Majia, stated that hardly any family escaped the impact of the explosion, estimating the death toll to be around 180. He noted that 104 people died at the explosion site, while others succumbed to their injuries in hospitals.
READ ALSO: Toll rises to 167 from Jigawa fuel tanker explosion
Reflecting on lessons learned from the tragedy, Lawan stressed the importance of raising public awareness about the dangers of scooping petroleum products, highlighting that ignorance was a significant factor in the incident.
He pointed out that most victims were young people, as the elderly were more likely to understand the associated risks.
“We have learned a lot from this, and we will never forget this day. It will remain in our memories, even for those too young to understand; the story will be passed down to prevent future occurrences,” Lawan remarked.
Injured survivor Uzairu Musa Mainama recounted his harrowing experience, stating that he narrowly escaped death. “I arrived at the scene, and within less than three minutes, the fire ignited. I remember being pushed away by the flames, quickly tearing off my burning shirt, and making my way to the clinic. More than 100 of us were injured, and I was later transferred to General Hospital Hadejia, and then to Rasheed Shekoni Specialist Hospital,” he said.
Efforts to reach Jigawa’s police spokesperson, SP Lawan Shisu, and the state’s Commissioner for Information, Sagir Muhammad, for confirmation of the latest casualty figures were unsuccessful. Their phone lines did not connect, and they had not responded to text messages by the time of this report last night.
Meanwhile, the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has announced a donation of N950 million to support the victims, families, and survivors of the tragic petrol tanker explosion in Majia town, Jigawa State.
The chairman of the forum and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, made the announcement while leading a delegation of northern governors to express condolences to the government and people of Jigawa State following the explosion, which claimed over 150 lives and left many injured.
In a statement by his spokesman, Ismaila Uba Misilli, Governor Yahaya explained that the collective contribution aims to alleviate the suffering caused by the incident and assist the state government in managing the aftermath. He expressed sorrow over the loss of young lives, recognizing that many victims had the potential to significantly contribute to leadership and nation-building.
He urged the people of Jigawa to remain strong, steadfast, and united during this difficult time, and offered prayers for the peaceful repose of the deceased and strength for their families to endure their immense loss.
In response, Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State expressed profound gratitude to the northern governors for their solidarity and generous support, noting that the financial assistance would be crucial in providing relief to survivors and families of the victims.
Proofreading by Uchechi Ojo, Sub-editor at Neptune Prime.
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