Jigawa tanker explosion: 147 lives lost, several maimed- NEMA

Abdullateef Fowewe

NEMA has confirmed that 147 lives were lost in the tanker explosion that occurred in Majia Town, Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

The incident was said to have occurred at around 11:30 pm on Tuesday, 15, October, and was caused by a tanker carrying  Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) losing control and spilling its contents.

NEMA in a report on Wednesday, stated that numerous injured individuals were transported to Ringim, Hadejia, Jahun General Hospitals, and the Federal Medical Centre in Birnin Kudu for treatment after the administration of first aid.

The report said, “The Emergency Response Team of NEMA Kano Territorial Office (KTO) received a distress call from the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) regarding a fire incident in Majia Town, Taura Local Government Area, Jigawa State at about 5:00 am on 16/10/2024. The fire, which occurred at approximately 11:30 p.m. on 15/10/2024 was caused by a tanker carrying Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) losing control and spilling its contents.

“Tragically, 147 lives were lost in the incident. Numerous injured individuals were transported to Ringim, Hadejia, Jahun General Hospitals, and the Federal Medical Centre in Birnin Kudu for treatment after the administration of first aid.

“Multiple stakeholders, including the Jigawa State Fire Service, Nigeria Civil Defence and Security Corps (NCDSC), Nigerian Red Cross Society, World Health Organization (WHO), Jamaatu Nasrul Islam, and others, played key roles in the emergency response and casualties evaluation.”