The Niger State Government has conducted a mass burial for victims of the petrol tanker explosion that occurred in Essa village, Katcha Local Government Area, and approved comprehensive free medical treatment for all survivors.
This was disclosed in a statement on Thursday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Bologi Ibrahim, following a visit by a state government delegation led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Murtala Bagana, to the explosion site and hospitals treating the injured victims.
According to the statement, the mass burial was conducted in Katcha, where special prayers were offered for the repose of the deceased and the speedy recovery of the injured.
“The state government confirmed that normalcy has returned to the affected community and reaffirmed its commitment to the safety and well-being of all residents,” the statement read.
The government said about 50 people sustained varying degrees of injuries, including burns and inhalation-related complications, and are receiving treatment in several medical facilities such as the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Bida, General Hospitals in Bida and Agaie, as well as the National Hospital Abuja, Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital, and FMC Jabi.
It further announced the release of drugs and medical supplies worth over ₦10 million to hospitals attending to victims, in addition to cash support for affected families.
“The state government has provided drugs and medical supplies worth over ₦10 million to support hospitals treating the victims and presented cash donations to the affected families,” it added.
The government commended the management of FMC Bida for its swift response, as well as the State Ministry of Health, Emergency Response Teams, and the Katcha Local Government Authority for their coordinated rescue and medical operations.
While mourning the victims, the state government cautioned residents against the dangerous practice of scooping fuel from fallen tankers, warning that such acts often lead to avoidable tragedies.
It also urged the Federal Government to expedite repairs on key federal roads in the state, particularly the Jebba–Mokwa–Bida–Agaie–Lapai–Lambata route, which it said contributed to the accident due to its poor condition.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Abdullahi Baba Arah, confirmed that the death toll had risen to 42, with 52 others injured.
He explained that the explosion occurred when villagers attempted to scoop fuel from a tanker that had fallen due to the bad state of the road.
Earlier, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reported that 39 people were killed and over 60 suffered severe burns, including men, women, and children. Rescue operations were jointly conducted by NEMA, NSEMA, the Police, FRSC, NSCDC, DSS, and local volunteers.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, also expressed deep sadness over the incident, lamenting that despite repeated warnings, some citizens still risk their lives in attempts to collect spilled fuel.
“The incident is saddening because, despite sustained public sensitisation and repeated warnings about the dangers of scooping fuel from fallen tankers, some citizens still take such life-threatening risks,” the minister stated.
