Jigawa Explosion Survivor Recounts Ordeal; Death Toll Rises to 168
The death toll from Tuesday’s fuel tanker explosion in Majiya, Jigawa State, has tragically risen to 168, with over 100 others still receiving treatment for severe burns and injuries in hospitals across the region. The harrowing event has left families shattered, as many continue to grapple with the loss of loved ones.
Among the survivors is Sabitu Yahaya, who recounted his narrow escape to Vanguard on Wednesday. Yahaya, who suffered burns from his knees to his feet, lost two siblings to the explosion. He described how he was caught in the fire while trying to rescue his younger brothers. “I fell victim when I went in search of my younger ones to drag them away from the scene. Although some people were scooping fuel, many of us were there to warn our relations because we knew the dangers,” he explained, his voice trembling with grief.
Yahaya emphasized that the fire was not ignited by a match but by the friction of metals used by people attempting to siphon fuel from the tanker. The explosion has left his family devastated, with two brothers dead and two others still hospitalized.
Government officials, led by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator George Akume, visited Jigawa on Wednesday to offer condolences. Accompanying him were key ministers, including Defence Minister Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, Interior Minister Olubunmi Ojo, and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Director-General Ms. Zubaida Umar. Akume assured victims that the government would support their recovery and swiftly investigate the causes of the explosion.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to immediately begin probing the incident. He expressed concern over the high casualty figures and stressed the need to prevent such tragedies from recurring. The delegation visited Rasheed Shekoni Teaching Hospital in Dutse to meet some of the survivors and get updates from medical personnel.
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) also weighed in, calling for immediate and sustained support for the victims. “Emergency food, shelter, and medications must be provided without bureaucratic delays,” the ACF emphasized, noting the broader challenges already facing the local population due to economic downturns and insecurity.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) have expressed deep sorrow over the incident. Both organizations lamented the continued loss of lives due to poor infrastructure and mismanagement, while urging the government to take urgent steps to prevent future tragedies.
As rescue operations continue, the affected communities remain in mourning, with authorities pledging further investigations and relief efforts. The entire nation watches, hoping that lessons from this tragedy will lead to better safety measures and a reduction in such deadly accidents.
