News
Jigawa Tanker Explosion Claims 153 Lives, Governor Namadi Pledges Support for Victims
The death toll from the tragic tanker explosion in Majia Local Government Area of Jigawa State has risen to a devastating 153, with 100 people currently hospitalized.
The explosion, which has caused widespread grief and shock, initially claimed the lives of 105 people, while 70 others sustained various degrees of injuries, but the numbers have continued to rise as more victims succumb to their injuries.
In an updated statement, the police spokesperson, DSP Lawan Shiisu Adam, confirmed the increased toll.
He also stated that those who lost their lives in the explosion have been laid to rest in a mass grave, while the injured are receiving medical treatment at several hospitals, including Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Jahun General Hospital, Nguru, Hadejia, and Gumel hospitals.
Governor Mallam Umar Namadi has expressed profound sorrow over the horrific incident, personally visiting the site of the explosion to assess the damage and offer support.
The governor participated in the funeral prayer and mass burial of the victims, standing in solidarity with grieving families and the entire community during this harrowing time.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims during this painful time,” the governor stated, adding that the government would do everything in its power to support the injured and bereaved families.
He also pledged that the Jigawa State Government would bear the full cost of treatment for the injured, ensuring that all those affected by the inferno, now scattered across hospitals in the state and beyond, receive the best possible care.
Governor Namadi reassured the people that the government would provide much-needed assistance to the affected families while working to prevent future tragedies of this magnitude.
In addition to the governor’s commitments, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) released updated figures, confirming that 107 people have now lost their lives in the accident, while 57 remain hospitalized with severe burns and injuries.
The agency has been actively involved in coordinating rescue and recovery efforts, ensuring that victims receive timely medical care and that the families of the deceased are supported during their time of mourning.
Governor Namadi also issued a public appeal, urging citizens to exercise caution and prioritize safety during emergencies.
He advised people to avoid gathering at accident sites to prevent additional casualties, stressing the need for community awareness to prevent such tragedies from escalating.
The explosion, which has now become one of the deadliest in recent memory in Jigawa State, has left an indelible mark on the local community.
Families are grappling with the unimaginable loss of loved ones, and the region has been left devastated by the sheer scale of the disaster.
However, with the swift intervention of the government and emergency agencies, there is hope that the survivors will receive the care they need to recover, and steps will be taken to avoid future incidents.
A teenage girl, Lawal Hameedat Adenike, has filed a lawsuit against the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the PEFTI Centre after allegedly being forced to remove her hijab before sitting for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The suit was filed by her mother and legal representative, Basirat Ojo, who spoke to journalists in Abuja about the distressing incident. Ojo explained that on April 25, 2025, at the PEFTI CBT Centre in Ibadan, Oyo State, her daughter was told she could not take the exam unless she removed her hijab, which she wears as a religious obligation. Ojo described the experience as humiliating and emotionally distressing for her daughter, adding that it was a clear violation of her rights.
The lawsuit is seeking a public apology from both JAMB and PEFTI, to be published in two national newspapers. Additionally, it calls for compensation for the rights violation and a court ruling that any policy requiring female candidates to remove their hijabs is unconstitutional.
Lawal’s lawyer, Qousim Opakunle, emphasized that the case is based on constitutional rights. He argued that the directive violated Section 38 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, especially for minors who are vulnerable to such injustices.
Many Nigerians are expressing deep concern over the poor performance recorded in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), following the release of the results by JAMB on Friday. Social media has since been flooded with reactions from worried parents, students, and education stakeholders, many of whom believe the scores don’t reflect the true efforts of the candidates.
One user, Oluwaseun, took to X to voice his frustration, sharing a screenshot of a student named Egbaze Victoria who allegedly scored 295 in last year’s UTME but shockingly got 132 this year. “Something is seriously wrong with these results,” he wrote. “These scores don’t reflect the abilities or track records of these students.”
Another user, Chukwuma Pius, also shared his frustration, claiming JAMB sent his daughter a result that doesn’t belong to her. “This is heartbreaking,” he said. “As a retired teacher, I know what she’s capable of. The result they sent cannot be hers.”
These complaints come after JAMB disclosed that over 1.5 million candidates scored below 200 this year, sparking widespread calls for an investigation into the entire process. Reacting to the controversy, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi described the outcome of this year’s UTME as worrisome and emphasized the need for urgent reforms in the education sector.
JAMB has officially released the results for the 2025 UTME, but not without controversy. According to the board, results of 39,834 candidates have been withheld over suspected exam malpractices.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, made the announcement at the board’s headquarters in Bwari, explaining that investigations are ongoing. He also revealed that around 80 individuals are currently under scrutiny for various exam-related offences, with Anambra State topping the list of those being investigated.
-
Sport23 hours agoWeidenfeller Says Ronaldo Works Harder Than Messi and That’s Why He’s the Best
-
News21 hours agoTeenage Girl Sues JAMB After Being Forced to Remove Her Hijab Before UTME Exam
-
News24 hours agoJAMB 2025: Nigerians Cry Out as Students Get Shockingly Low Jamb Scores
-
Sport24 hours agoAdemola Lookman Might Miss Atalanta’s Match Against Roma Due to Achilles Injury
-
Sport20 hours agoArteta Confirms Ødegaard Will Remain Arsenal Captain Despite Recent Struggles
-
Sport21 hours ago“He will be our player for years to come” – Amorim Says Fernandes Is Not for Sale
-
Fashion20 hours agoGallery: Stunning Celebrity Looks From the 2025 AMVCA Cultural Night
-
Entertainment19 hours agoBest Dressed Royalty: Liquorose and Prince Enwerem Shine at AMVCA Cultural Night