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The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday solicited urgent assistance for survivors of a devastating tanker explosion that occurred on Tuesday night in Jigawa State, resulting in the death of over 100 people.
The Senate also observed a minute of silence in memory of those who lost their lives in this tragic event.
The Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, Shiisu Adam, who confirmed the figure in a telephone interview with PUNCH Online on Wednesday said about 105 people had been confirmed dead and that 55 people with varying degrees of injuries.
Raising the issue under a matter of urgent public importance raised by Senator Hussaini Babangida (APC, Jigawa-West), explained that the explosion happened along the Hadejia Expressway while individuals were attempting to scoop petrol from a fully-loaded tanker.
He said, “This is one incident too many and it puts immense pressure on our already strained medical facilities.
“Nearly 100 people lost their lives, over 300 sustained various degrees of burns.”
In response, the Senate urged the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, as well as the National Emergency Management Agency, to provide immediate relief to the affected victims.
The lawmakers also called on security agencies to take proactive measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Following the motion, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, urged the Jigawa State government to assist the survivors and implement awareness campaigns about the dangers associated with siphoning fuel from disabled tankers.
Akpabio stated, “This type of incident has happened before in Lagos, Ikeja, and even in my own community. We must take measures to prevent future occurrences.”
Also in a statement, The Deputy Senate President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau, mourned the death of 95 persons who died in a petrol tanker explosion in Majiya village of Taura LGA of Jigawa State.
Senator Barau, in a statement by his media aide, Ismail Mudashir, expressed condolences to the government and people of Jigawa State over the incident.
He said, “It is with profound sadness that I extend my deepest condolences to the government and people of Jigawa State, particularly the community of Majiya Town in Taura Local Government Area over the tragic petrol tanker explosion that claimed many lives and left others injured.
“My heart goes out to the families who have lost their loved ones and I offer prayers for the speedy recovery of those hospitalised.”
“May the souls of the departed rest in peace, ” he prayed.
