2 hours ago
1 ARTICLE AD
The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed
The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed, has expressed his condolences to the families affected by the fuel tanker explosion at Dikko junction in Niger State on Saturday.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Corps Spokesperson Olusegun Ogungbemide, on Sunday.
Mohammed described the incident, which claimed at least 73 lives, as a tragic and preventable loss and urged fuel tanker operators to strictly adhere to safety standards when handling and transporting petroleum products.
“The Corps Marshal described the human losses to the inferno as disheartening and disastrous, warning that such incidents must never be allowed to happen again,” the statement read.
The Corps Marshal expressed dismay over the recurring nature of such incidents despite sustained public awareness campaigns on the risks of mishandling inflammable materials.
He stressed the importance of safety protocols during the transportation and trans-loading of fuel to prevent similar tragedies.
According to Mohammed, the FRSC rescue teams, working alongside other agencies, have recovered 73 bodies from the scene, while survivors with varying degrees of injuries have been transported to hospitals, including Suleja General Hospital, for medical care.
Traffic flow in the area has since been restored, and normalcy returned.
He disclosed that the FRSC’s accident investigation unit would collaborate with other stakeholders to uncover the root causes of the explosion and recommend measures to prevent future occurrences.
The Corps Marshal emphasised the importance of inter-agency collaboration and public engagement in mitigating road-based emergencies and enhancing overall safety.
Reflecting on past incidents, Mohammed described the repeated losses as painful and regrettable.
He cited a similar tanker explosion in Jigawa State last year and reiterated the need for strict adherence to safety protocols to avoid such catastrophes.
“The nation was yet to recover from similar incident that occured in Jiagawa last year, and having to witness another incident of this magnitude at the beginning of the new year is painful and regrettable,” Mohammed further stated.
The Corps Marshal commended the swift response of the Niger State Governor, who personally visited the scene to assess the situation and support rescue efforts.
He called for further assistance to the survivors and their families and assured Nigerians of the FRSC’s commitment to improving road safety and preventing avoidable disasters.
Mohammed further urged all Nigerians to join efforts to ensure the safety of lives and property on the nation’s roads and prayed for the repose of the souls lost in the tragic incident.
