Black Sunday: 51 killed in Niger, Lagos tanker inferno, 48 get mass burial

No fewer than 48 passengers were confirmed dead Sunday following a tanker explosion along the Lapai-Agaie road in Niger state.  

Blueprint reports that not less than 50 cows were also burnt to ashes in the gory incident. 

It was gathered that the accident occurred at about 12.30 am Sunday when a fuel tanker exploded after colliding with an articulated vehicle carrying passengers and cows from Kano to Lagos. 

Thirty-seven bodies were earlier recovered but more corpses were later recovered when the inferno was put under control, bringing the figure to 48. 

Director General Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) Abdullahi Baba-arah confirmed the accident in a statement in Minna. 

He said: “The trailer, which was transporting passengers and livestock from Wudil in Kano State to Lagos, was severely impacted by the collision, resulting in an intense fire. Two additional vehicles, a crane truck and a pickup van, were also caught in the explosion, further escalating the destruction. The fire spread rapidly, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake.

“Tragically, over 30 people were initially confirmed dead at the scene, while more than 50 cattle perished in the fire. However, as rescue operations continued, more bodies were discovered, bringing the total death toll to 48.

“Due to the condition of the bodies, a mass burial was held for the victims. Many of the deceased were burnt beyond recognition, making individual identification difficult. NSEMA officials, along with local authorities, coordinated the burial,” the statement added.

FRSC Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in the state, Kumar Tsukwan, also confirmed the incident in Minna, adding that rescue operation was still ongoing.

…Bago expresses sympathy 

Meanwhile, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has expressed sadness over the incident. 

The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, said he was pained by the unfortunate incident and the colossal loss incurred.

“While commiserating with all those who suffered losses in the incident, the State Government through the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) and other relevant organisations have been mobilised to the scene of accident for rescue operation and other necessary actions,” he said.

Bago called for calm by the residents of the affected area, and also enjoined road users to always be cautious and abide by road traffic regulations to safeguard lives and property.

The tragic event has left the local community in shock and mourning, highlighting the dangers of road transportation, especially involving flammable substances like petroleum products.

Authorities have called for stricter safety measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

 …Tanker rams into 10 vehicles, kills 3 in Lagos

Also in Maryland area of Lagos, three persons were confirmed dead while others sustained various degrees of injuries when an oil tanker rammed into 10 vehicles.

Head of Public Affairs Unit Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Nosa Okunbor said this in a statement Sunday.

He said the first accident occurred following a brake failure experienced by a diesel-laden tanker, which consequently rammed into several vehicles, and resulting in the death of three persons and injuring an unspecified number of others.

“Upon the arrival of the LASEMA Response Teams at the scene of the incident at 0113hrs, the LRT encountered a multiple-vehicle accident involving an oil tanker, registration number unknown, fully laden with diesel.

“The tanker reportedly suffered a mechanical failure (brake failure) while in motion, lost control, and crashed into several cars, resulting in numerous casualties.

“The second accident involved an articulated truck, registration number unknown, carrying a fully loaded 40-foot container, which reportedly collided with a MACK truck, also unregistered, loaded with refill industrial bottles. The crash was attributed to reckless driving and speeding.

“Sadly, three fatalities were reported in the multiple accidents, with the bodies removed before the LRTs arrived. An unspecified number of people were critically injured and had already been taken to various hospitals by the time the LRTs reached the scene,” said the LASEMA spokesman.

The vehicles involved in the accidents, he said, were two Volkswagen Vanagon commercial buses, one Mitsubishi Space Bus, two mini-buses (popularly known as Korope), and one Honda car.

“Recovery efforts for the accident trucks and other vehicles began immediately upon the arrival of equipment at the scene.

 “The two LASEMA Response Teams, along with other responders, worked tirelessly to recover all vehicles involved in the road accident and to alleviate the traffic gridlock caused by the incident,” Okunbor added.

…Saturday accident  

Just last Saturday, a petrol-laden tanker, two articulated trucks, one 18-seater bus, two small commercial cabs (micra), and three motorcycles were in the evening burnt at Iyana-Ajia area of the Ibadan-Ife road in Ibadan.

 It was learnt that the driver of the tanker reportedly lost control very close to the ongoing Iyana-Ajia Bridge of the road. 

Sources said the tanker fell while the driver was trying to control it spilling its petrol on the highway.

 It was at this point that the fire emanating from the tanker caught up with the 18-seater bus, two small commercial cabs (micra), and the three motorcycles burning them to ashes.

 The petrol tanker was said to be burning as at around 8.30pm (Saturday) as the thick smoke coming from the burnt tanker still enveloped the area.

Men of the Oyo state Police command and the FRSC were said to be busy diverting vehicles from the area.

As at the time of sending this story, there was no report of any death from the inferno. 

About Aideloje Ojo, Minna, Oguntade Ismaila, Lagos and Bayo Agboola,Ibadan

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