The Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has announced a donation of ₦1 million each to the families of those who lost their lives and ₦500,000 each to the injured survivors of Tuesday’s tragic tanker explosion in Essa, Katcha Local Government Area.
Governor Bago made the announcement on Thursday during a condolence visit to the affected community, where he assessed the extent of the damage and met with local leaders and residents.
This was contained in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, issued Thursday night in Minna.
Death Toll Rises to 42
The explosion, which occurred around 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday along the Bida–Badegi–Agaie road, reportedly began when a crowd of residents attempted to scoop fuel from a fallen tanker before it suddenly caught fire.
The Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Arah, confirmed that 42 people had died while 52 sustained varying degrees of injuries.
Speaking during an interview with ARISE News, Arah attributed the tragic incident to the poor state of the road and extremely high temperatures that may have triggered the ignition.
“As of the last count, the total number of dead stands at 42, and the number of injured persons is 52,” he said.
Governor Condemns Fuel Scooping
Governor Bago expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and prayed for the speedy recovery of those receiving treatment in hospitals in Bida and Abuja.
He, however, condemned the recurring act of residents scooping fuel from fallen tankers, describing it as “dangerous, criminal, and unacceptable.”
“It is terrible that when a truck falls, people of the community rush out with containers to scoop fuel,” Bago said.
“It is theft and must be addressed as such. We cannot encourage it.”
Relief Measures and Road Repairs
While acknowledging that the poor condition of the Bida–Badegi–Agaie road contributed to the tragedy, Bago urged residents to act responsibly and assist in rescue operations during such emergencies rather than endanger their lives.
He also disclosed that business magnate Aliko Dangote had pledged to repair the Mokwa–Lambata road, with work expected to commence soon.
Furthermore, the governor announced that the state government will construct a new primary healthcare centre in Essa Community to improve access to medical care for residents.
Background
Fuel tanker explosions remain a recurring tragedy in several parts of Nigeria, often linked to poor infrastructure, disregard for safety protocols, and poverty-driven fuel scavenging.
Experts have repeatedly urged state governments and federal authorities to enforce stricter safety regulations for fuel transport vehicles and increase public awareness about the dangers of scooping petrol at accident scenes.
![[BREAKING NEWS]:Nigerians In Trouble As Leaked Documents Reveals Tinubu’s Agreement with Controversial Business Tycoon](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39gfKFg8aZ2Pq_eoxzYPY7vQoQB4vJQ5iXjbzlb028e9rhOqJn7LU834VyPOGJO6KMqyY25tdbE8_AbZYrvJ2A-MPe77GnAXXTxKlCpcHy3Xmrpk5voaOwmC_bUYUoWrh8i8Vya7_odsgKRhByqzF7mVi_H-AQTn3iV_Yo1GkZhLibfcuztuBuz3XE4xS/w680/IMG_9371.jpeg)
