A devastating tanker explosion in Majiya town, Jigawa State, has reportedly left 209 people dead and 99 others injured, according to findings presented by the Jigawa Tanker Explosion Investigation Panel.
Grassroots Parrot reports the tragedy that struck Jigawa on October 14, 2024, caused significant human and material losses, with properties worth millions of Naira destroyed and 167 families severely affected.
The panel’s chairman, Hafizu Inuwa, disclosed these figures while submitting the committee’s report to Governor Umar Namadi on Wednesday in Dutse.
Governor Namadi had established the 25-member investigative panel to uncover the causes of the disaster and recommend measures to prevent future occurrences.
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The panel identified multiple factors contributing to the tragedy, which include road infrastructure issues like damaged speed-breakers and potholes near the accident site.
Night driving and excessive speeding were also highlighted and noted as other contributors. The inferno was reportedly sparked by friction from metallic containers used by victims attempting to scoop spilled fuel.
Inuwa reported that 38 injured victims remain hospitalized, while 61 have been discharged. The disaster’s toll on human life and livelihoods necessitated a broad examination of the circumstances and safety lapses that led to the incident.
The committee made several recommendations to avert similar tragedies in the future, including regular inspections and enforcement of safety protocols for petroleum transporters and articulated vehicles.
Upgrading emergency response centers and equipping health facilities with trauma and burn units.
and establishing a dedicated road traffic control agency.
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Providing social protection for vulnerable victims and enrolling affected families into the **Danmodi Care Programme** to offer financial and psychological support were as well recommended.
Governor Namadi expressed his gratitude to the committee for their thorough investigation and pledged to implement the recommendations to ensure the safety and welfare of citizens.
“We will take decisive actions to prevent such tragic incidents in the future. This government is committed to the safety and well-being of all residents,” Namadi stated.
The chairman also commended the state government for its empathetic and timely response to the disaster, which included immediate support to the affected community.