A tragic tanker explosion in Niger State has claimed the lives of 42 people and left 52 others injured, according to the Niger State Emergency Management Authority (NSEMA). The agency’s Director General, Abdullahi Baba Arah, disclosed the figures during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, describing the incident as one of the most devastating in recent times.

Arah explained that the explosion occurred after a fuel tanker fell due to the poor condition of the road, causing its contents to spill. The accident reportedly happened on Tuesday, and moments later, residents from nearby villages rushed to the scene to scoop fuel from the overturned tanker. Sadly, a sudden ignition sparked a massive fire, engulfing the area and trapping many people.

“The bad condition of the road is the major cause of the fallen tanker that led to the explosion,” Arah stated, adding that the victims were mostly villagers who had gathered to collect the spilled fuel. He said the high temperature contributed to the quick spread of the flames, making it difficult for rescue teams to save those at the scene.

Rescue operations were immediately launched by emergency responders and local authorities, who worked tirelessly to evacuate the injured and recover the bodies. Those who sustained burns and other injuries were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. Arah also mentioned that the state government is making arrangements to support victims and families affected by the tragedy.

The NSEMA boss called on motorists and residents to avoid such risky behaviour in the future and urged the federal government to fix bad roads across the state to prevent similar disasters. He also advised citizens to stay away from accident scenes involving fuel tankers to safeguard their lives.