Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, extended her heartfelt condolences to the people and government of Jigawa State in response to the devastating petrol tanker explosion that occurred in Majiya town, Taura Local Government Area.

The tragic incident, which took place on October 16, 2024, claimed the lives of over 90 individuals, leaving several others injured and causing widespread destruction.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Oluremi Tinubu expressed her deep sorrow over the loss of lives, offering her prayers for those affected.

She called on Almighty Allah to grant the departed eternal rest in Aljanah Firdaus and to provide comfort to those mourning their loved ones.

The First Lady specifically addressed the Governor of Jigawa State, Mallam Umar Namadi, acknowledging his leadership during this difficult time. She expressed solidarity with him and the entire state, noting the magnitude of the tragedy that has befallen the community.

Oluremi Tinubu remarked on the profound loss not only of lives but also of properties and livelihoods, emphasizing that the effects of the incident would be felt for a long time.

She went further to urge the people of Jigawa to remain strong in the face of adversity, calling on both state and federal authorities to continue providing support to the victims and their families.

The First Lady also extended her prayers for the speedy recovery of those who were injured, urging that they receive the necessary medical attention to regain their health.

Reflecting on the impact of the explosion, she expressed her hope that measures would be put in place to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Additionally, she underscored the importance of unity and support during this period of mourning, encouraging Nigerians from all walks of life to offer their assistance in any way they could.

In the early hours of the morning, a devastating fire broke out in the Ibafo area of the Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, Ogun State, following the crash of a tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

The accident led to widespread destruction, with numerous vehicles consumed by the flames.

According to witnesses, the tanker driver appeared to have fallen asleep at the wheel, which caused him to lose control of the vehicle.

This led to the tanker overturning and eventually exploding. The explosion ignited the highly flammable PMS, triggering a fierce fire that spread rapidly.

The Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) confirmed the incident through its Public Relations Officer, Babatunde Akinbiyi, who revealed that, fortunately, no lives were lost in the tragic incident.

However, several people sustained injuries of varying severity.

The fire, fueled by the spillage of the tanker’s contents, quickly spread to nearby vehicles that were parked at a filling station close to the scene.

Eyewitnesses described the chaos as the flames spread uncontrollably, consuming everything in their path before emergency responders arrived.

The Ogun State Fire Service was eventually called in to manage the situation.

Their fire engine, deployed promptly, helped contain the flames, but not before the fire had already destroyed numerous vehicles and inflicted severe damage on the area.

By the time the fire was brought under control, several individuals had suffered burns and other injuries, while bystanders were seen rushing some of the injured to nearby hospitals.

Further reports indicated that the spilt petrol had flowed into a drainage system, which carried the flammable liquid into a nearby community located about a kilometre away from the expressway.

This led to further destruction, as the fire spread through the drainage, causing panic among the residents of the area.

Several buildings in the community were severely affected by the blaze, with shattered windows, damaged roofs, and cracked walls seen in various homes.

While the exact number of vehicles and properties damaged remains unclear, it was evident that the inferno had left a trail of destruction in its wake.

Residents have called on the authorities to implement stricter regulations and monitoring to prevent such disasters from occurring in the future, emphasizing the need for enhanced driver safety measures and better tanker maintenance standards.

The incident has once again raised concerns about road safety and the hazards posed by heavy-duty vehicles transporting highly flammable substances on busy highways.

Emergency agencies have since intensified efforts to assess the full extent of the damage and provide support to those affected.

In the aftermath of the fire, communities nearby are still reeling from the trauma and damage, as officials work to restore normalcy to the area.

The event has sparked conversations about the need for faster response times from emergency services, as well as the importance of vigilance on the part of drivers, particularly those carrying hazardous materials.

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has expressed profound sorrow over the tragic loss of 105 lives in a tanker explosion that occurred in Majiya, Jigawa State. In a statement from the NGF, Chairman AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq extended heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families and the people of Jigawa. He emphasized the need for enhanced safety measures when handling flammable materials and urged citizens to refrain from collecting fuel from spills due to the inherent dangers.

The forum’s statement highlighted the urgency for better safety protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future. The explosion happened late Tuesday night when the tanker driver lost control of the vehicle near Khadija University. The situation became more tragic as individuals attempted to scoop fuel, which led to the significant loss of life. The NGF called for reflection on these events and offered prayers for the families affected by this devastating incident.