By: Balogun Tumininu
A devastating petrol tanker explosion occurred on Sunday afternoon along the Lapai-Agaie road in Niger state, claiming the lives of at least 48 people. The tragic incident involved a collision between a petrol tanker and a truck carrying travellers and cattle from Wudil in Kano state to Lagos.
According to the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), the explosion also resulted in the loss of 50 cows and the destruction of two other vehicles, a crane, and a pick-up van. NSEMA’s rapid response team has been dispatched to the scene to conduct search and rescue operations, with fears that more corpses may still be trapped inside the trucks.
In a sombre move, the 48 recovered corpses were given a mass burial in Agaie town. The incident has left the community in shock, and authorities are working to provide support to the affected families. The cause of the collision is yet to be determined, but the tragic loss of life and property serves as a stark reminder of the importance of road safety measures.