Maiduguri, Nigeria, and London – At least 147 people have been killed in a catastrophic fuel tanker explosion in the town of Majiya, located in Nigeria’s northwestern Jigawa State. National Emergency Management Agency confirmed a grim death toll on Wednesday, describing the event as one of deadliest accidents in the region this year.
The explosion occurred late on Tuesday night when the driver of a petrol tanker lost control of the vehicle, leading to its overturning on a busy road. Shi’isu Adam, a spokesperson for Jigawa regional police, provided details, stating that the incident took place around 11:30 p.m. local time as a tanker, en route to Nigeria’s Yobe State, crashed.
In the aftermath of the accident, large crowds began to gather around overturned tankers. Despite warnings from police to keep a safe distance, many individuals approached the vehicle, some attempting to collect leaking fuel. It was during this gathering that the tanker suddenly ignited, resulting in a massive explosion that engulfed the area in flames.
Eyewitnesses described a scene of chaos and devastation. Thick columns of smoke rose into the night sky as the fire spread rapidly, trapping many of those who had been too close to the tanker. One local resident, Sani Umar, who narrowly escaped the explosion, recounted the terror of the moment. “It was terrifying. People were running in all directions, screaming for help. The fire spread so quickly that many couldn’t escape,” he said.
Video footage taken by bystanders shows the horrifying extent of the blaze, with flames consuming everything in its path. People could be seen frantically trying to pull injured away from the inferno, but for many, it was too late.
As rescue operations continued into Wednesday, Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi visited the scene of the disaster. The governor was briefed on the escalating death toll as emergency responders worked to recover bodies and assist the injured. Many survivors, suffering from severe burns and or injuries, were transported to local hospitals, though medical teams were overwhelmed by the scale of casualties.
In a statement on Wednesday morning, Jigawa police spokesperson Adam expressed sorrow and frustration at the avoidable nature of the disaster. “We are worried that despite police warnings, people continue to gar around accident scenes involving fuel tankers. This habit is dangerous and often leads to mass casualties, as we have seen today,” he said.
Local authorities have launched a formal investigation into the incident, with preliminary reports suggesting that the tanker’s brakes may have failed, causing the driver to lose control. However, the exact cause of the explosion is still being examined.
As the region grapples with the magnitude of the loss, Jigawa State’s police commissioner, AT Abdullahi, expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims. “This is a heartbreaking moment for us all. We share in the pain and sorrow of the families affected. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the bereaved,” Abdullahi said in a public address.
Majiya, a small town now at the center of national mourning, has seen an influx of mourners as families and community members gar to pay their respects. A mass burial for victims is scheduled for later on Wednesday, as the community comes to terms with a devastating loss.
This tragedy has once again highlighted dangers associated with fuel transport across Nigeria, where accidents involving fuel tankers are not uncommon. Many similar incidents in the past have been exacerbated by crowds rushing to collect leaking fuel, often leading to deadly explosions.
As the investigation continues, authorities are calling for stricter safety measures in the transportation of fuel and a public awareness campaign to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
