President Bola Tinubu has expressed profound regret over the catastrophic fuel tanker explosion at Dikko Junction in Niger State’s Gurara Local Government Area, which killed more than 80 people and injured many more.
In a statement released on Sunday by his spokeswoman, Bayo Onanuga, the President expressed his sympathies to the dead families, as well as the government and people of Niger State.
Tinubu described the situation as both terrible and preventable, citing allegations that several of the victims were scooping Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from the overturned tanker before the explosion.
The President has directed that the injured receive comprehensive medical care and instructed security and road safety agencies to enforce measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
Tinubu also urged citizens to exercise caution and refrain from approaching accident scenes, particularly those involving fuel-laden vehicles, due to the high risk of explosions.
Furthermore, he has tasked the National Orientation Agency to launch a nationwide awareness campaign to educate the public about the dangers of scooping fuel from fallen tankers and the environmental risks associated with such activities.
