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The Niger State Emergency Management Agencu, NSEMA, has released an update on the tanker explosion that occurred at Dikko Junction, revealing a rising death toll and widespread destruction.
The explosion occurred on Saturday.
According to a statement issued by NSEMA Director General, Abdullahi Baba Arah, as of 12:00 pm on January 20, 2025, the death toll from the explosion has risen to 98.
Read Also: Minister: Tinubu To Establish Panel On Tanker Explosion Crisis
Additionally, he said 69 people were injured in the disaster, with many still receiving treatment at various hospitals.
The explosion, which occurred when a tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, lost control and caught fire, also resulted in the destruction of 20 shops in the area.
In other news, president Bola Tinubu has announced plans to establish a high-level committee tasked with probing the frequent occurrences of tanker explosions across the nation. The committee will also be responsible for formulating and implementing robust safety measures aimed at preventing such devastating incidents in the future.
The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, made this statement on Sunday during a visit to the Palace of the Emir of Suleja. His visit was part of efforts to express solidarity with the victims of the tragic tanker explosion that occurred on Saturday at Dikko Junction, situated in the Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State.
He said members of the committee would be drawn from the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), tanker drivers’ associations and other stakeholders.
