Niger State, Nigeria — The death toll from the devastating tanker explosion at Dikko Junction near Suleja, Niger State, has risen to 86, according to the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA).
The tragedy, which occurred on January 18, 2025, has left the community in mourning and raised significant concerns about safety enforcement and disaster preparedness.
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Mass Burial Highlights Scale of Tragedy
Alhaji Abdullahi Baba-Arah, Director General of NSEMA, confirmed that 80 victims were buried in a mass grave, organized in collaboration with the Gurara Local Government Council and community volunteers. Five other victims were claimed by their families for private burials, while one casualty succumbed to injuries at the Dikko Primary Healthcare Centre.
Eyewitness Accounts and Negligence
According to eyewitnesses, the explosion occurred when a tanker loaded with petrol overturned and an attempt was made to transfer its contents. Residents, some attempting to scoop fuel from the leaking tanker, reported that a generator used to facilitate the transfer ignited the explosion. This incident has highlighted the dangerous and often illegal practices associated with fuel transportation.
Members of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) noted that the tanker was reportedly operating with faulty brakes and other mechanical issues, underscoring widespread lapses in enforcing safety standards for fuel transport.
Delayed Emergency Response Raises Questions
Survivors criticized the delayed response of emergency services, with firefighters reportedly arriving nearly an hour after the explosion. The blaze had already spread to nearby shops and vehicles, exacerbating the damage. Medical facilities in the area, including Suleja General Hospital, struggled to manage the influx of victims, with many injured being transferred to distant hospitals due to a lack of resources and capacity.
Economic and Social Fallout
The explosion has left Dikko Junction—a bustling commercial hub—in ruins. Over 200 small businesses, including shops, food vendors, and mechanic stalls, were destroyed. Local mechanic Usman Bala recounted the devastation: “I watched my entire shop burn to the ground. That was all I had to feed my family.”
Community leaders estimate financial losses in the millions of naira, and many breadwinners were among the victims, leaving families without support.
Ignored Warnings from Residents
Local residents revealed that they had previously reported the risks posed by unsafe fuel tankers navigating the narrow, congested roads. “We have written to authorities about the dangers these tankers pose to us, but nothing was done. Now we are burying our people,” said Alhaji Musa Sani, a community leader.
Calls for Accountability and Reform
The Dikko Junction disaster has sparked renewed calls for reform in Nigeria’s fuel transportation and emergency response systems. Advocacy groups and industry experts are demanding an independent investigation into regulatory lapses and stronger enforcement of safety standards for hazardous material transport.
There is also growing pressure on the government to invest in equipping emergency services and healthcare facilities to better handle disasters of this magnitude.
