Jigawa tanker Inferno: FRSC commiserates with victims, harps on safety precautions

By Ibironke Ariyo

The Federal Road Safety Corps, (FRSC) has commiserated with the families of the victims, people, as well the Government of Jigawa State affected by the unfortunate tanker explosion.

FRSC Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, said this in a statement from the office of the Corps Public Education Officer on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mohammed, who condoled with the people of the Jigawa state, said his thoughts and prayers were with the affected families and the people of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the unfortunate incident happened in Majia, Jigawa State, where 94 people got burnt to death while scooping Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), from a fallen tanker.

The FRSC boss explained that the unfortunate incident underscored the importance of adhering to safety regulations at all times.

He, however, urged all road users to exercise caution, and should always await FRSC’s emergency and rescue operatives to handle any of such emergencies.

He further stated that it behoved on the Corps to advise the public that whenever an incident of this nature occurred, they should endeavour to stay very far from the tanker.

This, he said was because the product contained highly flammable content, and could result to severe injuries and deaths.

“You may recall that from available reports, the fire was ignited when the villagers rushed out to scoop fuel from a detached tanker of a DAF vehicle that crashed on that route about an hour after the crash.

“The lone crash which had no casualties as the driver and conductor survived without any injuries, occurred when the DAF Tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit attempted to dodge a speed bump while on a high speed.

“The resultant impact of driver’s action while on high speed detached the tanker from the body of the articulated vehicle,”he said.

The corps marshal directed further investigation into the crash as well as issued instant orders to Commanding Officers at the various tank farms to expedite action.

This, he said should be towards ensuring that all tankers observed the minimum safety standards before they were allowed to convey inflammable substances.

The FRSC boss said that the injured victims had been taken to Ringim General Hospital, Jahun General Hospital, and Khadija Clinic Majia for urgent medical attention.

NAN reports that authorities say the death toll of the petrol tanker explosion in Majiya town, Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa, on Wednesday, rose to 147.

The Chairman of Taura LGA, Shu’aibu Hambali, confirmed the latest causality figure on Wednesday evening while speaking live on a local radio station, Arewa Radio.

Meanwhile, mass burial has been held for the 147 victims who died while scooping fuel from the tanker wreckage.