Former President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed disappointment about Nigerians’ refusal to heed warnings from authorities over fallen petrol tankers.
This is contained in a statement by his media aide, Garba Shehu, following a devastating tanker explosion that claimed dozens of lives in Niger State on Saturday, January 18, 2025.
According to reports, over 80 people including a pregnant woman and many children were burnt to death while scooping fuel from a crashed fuel tanker at Dikko Junction on the Abuja-Kaduna highway.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency, (NSEMA) has confirmed that 86 persons lost their lives in the tragic tanker explosion.
In his reaction to the tragedy, Buhari condoled with victims families and the Government of Niger State.
The statement reads: “Former President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his heartfelt condolences on the loss of lives in a fire following another petroleum tanker accident that occurred on Saturday at Dikko Junction on the Abuja-Kaduna highway in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State.
“He expressed disappointment that the practice of scooping up fuel is becoming more common in spite of warnings from the authorities and the devastating losses of life that had characteristically attended such incidents.
“In condoling with the government and the people of Niger state, the former president wished speedy recovery to those injured.”
Earlier, Peter Obi, the former Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election, in his reaction, called on authorities to implement stricter measures to address recurring tanker explosion incidents in the country.
In a statement on Sunday, Obi commiserated with the families who lost their loved ones in the tragedy and also extended his condolences to the Government and people of Niger State.
