Niger petrol fire: How to prevent tragedies from fallen tankers – NNPC

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has urged Nigerians to exercise extreme caution and avoid approaching fallen petrol tankers to prevent heartbreaking tragedies in the future.

NNPC Limited said this in reaction over the tragic petrol tanker explosion that occurred at Dikko-Maje Junction along the Abuja-Kaduna Road in Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State on Saturday.

In a statement by Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, describing the incident as devastating, NNPC extended heartfelt condolences to the victims of the tragic petrol tanker explosion.

“The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) extends its heartfelt condolences to the victims of the tragic petrol tanker explosion that occurred at Dikko-Maje Junction along the Abuja-Kaduna Road in Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State on Saturday.

“This devastating incident claimed the lives of several individuals who were attempting to scoop fuel from a fallen tanker, while many others sustained varying degrees of injuries,” the statement reads.

Meanwhile, during a condolence visit to the General Hospital in Sabon Wuse, Niger State, NNPC Ltd’s Executive Vice President, Downstream, Mr. Isiyaku Abdullahi, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives.

In his remarks, Mr. Abdullahi offered prayers for the peaceful repose of the departed souls and wished the injured a swift and full recovery. He also urged the public to exercise extreme caution and avoid approaching fallen petrol tankers to prevent such heartbreaking tragedies in the future.

“NNPC Ltd. remains committed to the safety and well-being of all Nigerians and will continue to advocate for greater awareness of the dangers associated with fuel-related accidents,” the statement added.

Lokpobiri offers condolences to Niger State over tanker explosion tragedy

Similarly, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil), has extended condolences to the government and people of Niger State following the tragic explosion of a petrol-laden tanker at Dikko Junction, along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway.

In a statement on Saturday, the minister described the incident, which resulted in the loss of lives and left several others injured, as a heartbreaking tragedy.

Scores of residents were burned to death, with many others sustaining varying degrees of injuries from the tanker explosion in Dikko Junction, Suleja LGA.

Lokpobiri expressed his deepest sympathies to the families of the victims, stating, “I am deeply saddened by this tragic event, and my thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families.

“May the souls of the departed find eternal rest, and may God grant their families the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”

He also wished for a swift and complete recovery for those injured. The minister emphasised the need for enhanced safety measures to minimise such incidents and urged the public to exercise caution around petrol-laden tankers during emergencies.

“The risks are enormous, and lives are too precious to be lost unnecessarily,” he said.

Lokpobiri announced that he had directed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to investigate the incident and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring safe petroleum transportation across the country.

He called for ongoing collaboration among relevant stakeholders to prevent similar tragedies, stressing the importance of collective responsibility in ensuring safety in petroleum distribution.

“This tragedy reminds us of the importance of collective responsibility. We must all work together, government, transport operators, and citizens to ensure that safety remains paramount in all aspects of petroleum distribution,” he said.

The minister assured the people of Niger State of his ministry’s support during this difficult time.