Jigawa tanker explosion: ‘We lost 50 relatives’

Residents of Majia are still mourning as the death toll from the penultimate Tuesday petrol tanker explosion rose to 181.

The state governor, Namadi, disclosed this during his visit to victims at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital and Dala Orthopedic hospitals on Sunday night. 

A truck loaded with petrol travelling from Kano to Nguru in Yobe State overturned and exploded in Majia town in Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

The incident was the first in the history of Majia town, a largely agrarian community in Jigawa State known for economic activities. 

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Taura is a major agricultural hub, with fertile land suitable for both wet and dry seasons farming.

Victims and witnesses share experience

A resident Jabir Abdullahi Majia told Daily Trust that people who lost loved ones are still mourning as the death toll rises.

“I’m a staff of Adams Science Tahfizul Quran and the Truck fell right here in front of our school gate. The incident happened on Tuesday, October 5, 2024 and up to today people are still mourning,” Jabir said. 

He added that the explosion will remain in the memory of the people forever because virtually everyone lost someone to the explosion.

Another resident, Mustapha Abdullahi Majia, said, “We are indeed from Allah and unto Him we shall return. It was a terrible situation that we had never witnessed before in this town. Many people lost their lives. In my family we lost about 50 people, all blood-related. 

“So far so good, those that were injured are being taken care of in various hospitals across the state and neighbouring states such as Federal Medical Centres Nguru in Yobe State, Azare in Bauchi State and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital in Kano State.”

Another resident, Adamu Lawan Majia, corroborated what others said that hardly any family was spared from the explosion, putting the death figure at about 181.

Lawan Majia said 104 people died at the spot where the explosion occurred while others died at the hospital.

On lessons learnt from the incident, Lawan Majia said people need to be enlightened on the dangers of scooping petroleum products at a scene of an accident because ignorance has played a vital role in the latest tragedy.

He said most of those caught up in the tragedy were youths, noting that no any elderly person was involved because the elderly ones knew the danger of such an accident. 

“We have learnt a lot and we will never forget this day; it will remain in our memories and even those that are too young to understand the situation, the story will be passed to them to avoid future occurrence,” Lawan said. 

Uzairu Musa Mainama who spoke to Daily Trust on his sick bed in hospital said he was rescued by the whiskers.

“In less than three minutes after reaching the scene of the accident, the fire started. All I can remember is that I was pushed away by the fire and I quickly got up and removed my burning shirt and took myself to the clinic. We were more than 100 that were injured, from there I was transferred to General Hospital Hadejia and from Hadejia I was transferred to Rasheed Shekoni Specialist Hospital,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Jigawa State government has so far realised more than N1.4 billion as assistance from state governments, private and corporate bodies as support to the victims of the tanker explosion.

This was announced by the Commissioner for Information, Home Affairs, Youths and Sports, Hon. Sagir Musa, shortly after the Executive Council Meeting, chaired by Governor Umar Namadi at the Government House Dutse.

He said the council has acknowledged the receipt of N1, 448, 900.000 as support to be extended to the victims and families of the deceased by various individuals and organisations.

Musa said other decisions reached during the meeting include supporting the victims with large foodstuffs worth N60 million.

He said the approved food items to be procured and distributed to the families of the 210 victims who died or sustained injuries from the fire incident.

He said each family would receive 25kg of rice, 10 kg of millet, 10kg of maize and a carton of spaghetti.

He added that each family of the victims will also be given the sum of N200,000 in addition to the settling of their medical expenses.

Economic hardship cause of action – Expert

Dr Nasiru Ahmad Sarkin Dori, Associate Professor of Political Science at Federal University Dutse, Jigawa State, sheds light on the underlying factors that contributed to the Majia fuel tanker tragedy.

Dr Sarkin Dori said people’s frustration and anger stem from deprivation they suffer even from obtaining some bare necessities.

“This frustration can lead to depression, desperation, conflict, protest, and suicide,” he said. 

Dr Sarkin Dori said Nigerians are facing a dire economic situation, with abject poverty, hyperinflation, high cost of living and hopelessness.

“In this context, people are willing to take risks to survive, even if it means scooping fuel from tankers, engaging in illegal activities, and protesting against authorities.

“The Arab Spring, sparked by a single person’s suicide, illustrates the power of desperation-driven action,’’ he said.

Suleiman Sarki, a lecturer at the Federal University Dutse’s criminology and sociology department, said absolute poverty exposed many Nigerians to crime and other dangerous acts such as illegal mining, pipeline vandalisation and exploring hazardous materials.

Sarki said in the recent incident in Majiya, hardship likely played a part in the actions of the people.

“This act of desperation to get the fuel running on the way can be attributed to the hardship caused by abject poverty,” he said, calling for urgent action to fight high levels of poverty in the country.

In the aftermath of the incident, President Tinubu said he was committed to a “swift and comprehensive” review of fuel transportation safety protocols across the country, according to a statement on Wednesday. 

The Federal Road Safety Corps also issued a nationwide order for minimum safety standards for fuel tankers before they are allowed on the road, according to the spokesman, Olusegun Ogungbemide.