Police blame Jigawa explosion high death toll on fuel scooping

The Jigawa State Police Command has linked the high number of casualties and injuries from Tuesday’s fuel tanker explosion to the frantic attempts by local residents to collect the spilled fuel following the accident.

DSP Lawan Shiisu, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, shared this information in a voicemail sent to reporters in Kano on Wednesday. He explained, “Despite police efforts to secure the area and issue warnings, individuals disregarded these cautions and began to scoop up the fuel, which ultimately led to a catastrophic explosion.”

Shiisu noted that maintaining control at the scene was challenging, as many onlookers ignored the warnings and approached the accident site dangerously.

The tanker, which was carrying petrol, caught fire shortly after the collision, creating a blaze that affected many people nearby. Those injured were promptly taken to the General Hospital in Ringim, where medical staff are working tirelessly to treat the victims. However, the death toll is expected to rise, as several injured individuals remain in critical condition.

The state’s Police Commissioner, AT Abdullahi, has extended condolences to the residents, particularly those in Majiya town, where the incident occurred. He emphasized the importance of keeping a safe distance from accident scenes to prevent further loss of life and property.

He remarked, “When the accident took place, people rushed to gather the fuel, and a fire ignited unexpectedly, resulting in numerous fatalities and injuries. Following the explosion, 94 individuals were confirmed dead at the scene, and 50 others were taken to Ringim General Hospital, where doctors are working to save their lives.”