The Governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi, has disclosed that the death toll from the recent tanker explosion in the state has risen to 181, with 80 more individuals currently receiving medical treatment in critical condition.

Governor Namadi provided these details after meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday, where he briefed the president on the tragic incident and the ongoing response efforts.

The explosion occurred on October 15 in Majia, a town within the Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State, when a petrol tanker, en route from Kano to Nguru in Yobe State, lost control and exploded.

Many of the victims were residents who rushed to the scene to collect fuel from the leaking tanker, unaware of the impending danger.

The fire resulted in immediate casualties, with over 100 people losing their lives on the spot, and many more sustaining severe injuries.

During his address, Namadi shared that a total of 210 families have been affected by the disaster, emphasizing the profound impact it has had on the local community.

He expressed deep concern for the victims and assured that the state government had taken swift action.

“The state government has taken full responsibility for the medical treatment of all those injured, and we are also providing support to the families affected by this terrible incident,” the governor stated.

In addition to providing medical care, the government is working on measures to support the families’ long-term recovery and livelihood.

Namadi also commended President Tinubu for his swift response, noting that the president had immediately sent a delegation to the state following the explosion and had pledged further assistance to the victims.

To investigate the cause of the explosion and prevent similar tragedies in the future, the Jigawa State government has formed a high-level investigative committee, chaired by a retired Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police.

This committee will be tasked with uncovering the factors that led to the disaster and providing recommendations to the government on necessary actions to avoid a recurrence.

Moreover, President Tinubu has directed the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.

This move aims to identify the broader issues surrounding tanker accidents in the country and to develop permanent solutions to enhance road safety and prevent future incidents.

Governor Namadi expressed his gratitude to President Tinubu for the support and reiterated the state government’s commitment to ensuring that affected families receive the necessary assistance.

He also highlighted the government’s resolve to address the underlying issues that contributed to the tanker explosion, including poor road conditions, inadequate traffic regulations, and the dangers of fuel scooping, which continues to claim lives in Nigeria.

The tanker explosion in Jigawa has once again brought to the forefront the dangers of unregulated fuel transportation and the urgent need for safety reforms in the sector.