A devastating petrol tanker explosion claimed the lives of 48 people and left over 50 cows burnt alive in Niger State, Nigeria, early Sunday morning. The tragic incident occurred along the Bida-Agaie-Lapai highway, approximately two kilometers from Dendo community in Agaie Local Government Area.
Abdullahi Baba-Arah, the Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), confirmed the incident in a statement from Minna, the state capital.
He reported that the explosion happened at about 12:30 am when a petrol tanker, loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), collided with a trailer truck carrying travelers and cattle. The trailer was traveling from Wudil in Kano State, heading towards Lagos.
The impact of the collision triggered a massive explosion, which engulfed not only the two vehicles involved but also a crane truck and a pickup van that were nearby. The intense fire resulted in the deaths of 48 people, while more than 50 cattle were also consumed by the flames.
“Over 48 people have been confirmed dead, with over 50 cows burnt alive in this tragic incident,” Baba-Arah said.
He added that NSEMA’s Rapid Response Team (RRT), along with Local Emergency Management Committees (LGEMCs), rushed to the scene immediately after receiving the report.
Rescue operations were still ongoing as of the time of the report, with emergency responders working tirelessly to recover more bodies that were believed to be trapped inside the wreckage of the vehicles. Baba-Arah emphasized that the agency was doing everything possible to manage the situation and assist those affected by the disaster.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community and beyond, prompting calls for increased safety measures on Nigerian roads, especially concerning the transport of hazardous materials like petrol. The scale of the tragedy has also drawn attention to the need for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations to prevent such catastrophic events in the future.