Niger State Governor Donates of Victims of Essa Tanker Explosion, Pledges Infrastructure Support

Governor Mohammed Bago has announced financial support for the victims of the recent petrol tanker explosion in Essa, Katcha Local Government Area, which claimed 42 lives and left 52 others injured. During a condolence visit to the affected community on Thursday, the governor met with local leaders and residents, conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the scene, and expressed solidarity with families mourning the loss of their loved ones.

Governor Bago revealed that each family of the deceased would receive ₦1 million, while each of the injured survivors would be given ₦500,000. The gesture is part of the state government’s immediate response to the tragedy and aims to provide relief to the affected families and support their recovery.

The tragic incident occurred around 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday along the Bida–Badegi–Agaie road, when a tanker fell and ignited, engulfing residents who were attempting to scoop fuel from the vehicle. The Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Authority (NSEMA), Abdullahi Arah, confirmed the death toll and described the circumstances that contributed to the explosion. He cited poor road conditions and high temperatures in the area as factors that caused the ignition of the fire.

“As of the last count, the total number of dead stands at 42, and the number of injured persons is 52,” Arah said on ARISE News, highlighting the scale of the tragedy. The NSEMA has been coordinating rescue and relief efforts to manage the aftermath and provide medical attention to those injured.

Expressing deep sorrow over the incident, Governor Bago prayed for the speedy recovery of those receiving treatment in hospitals in Bida and Abuja. He strongly condemned the act of residents scooping fuel from fallen tankers, describing it as both dangerous and criminal. “We came to commiserate with them over loss of lives and to also talk to their conscience. It is a terrible thing that a truck will fall and people of the community will carry containers to scoop fuel. It is theft and must be addressed as such, and we can’t encourage it,” he said.

While acknowledging that poor road conditions contributed to the tragedy, the governor urged residents to act responsibly during emergencies, emphasizing the importance of assisting in rescue efforts rather than endangering their own lives. He also announced that business mogul Aliko Dangote had pledged to repair the Mokwa–Lambata Road, with construction expected to commence soon.

In addition to financial assistance, the state government disclosed plans to build a new primary healthcare center in Essa Community to address the health needs of residents and improve access to medical services. This initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen local infrastructure and ensure the safety and well-being of the community in the aftermath of the disaster.