30 killed in Niger state tanker explosion

At least 30 people have lost their lives to a deadly petrol tanker explosion in Niger state.

The incident occurred at Dendo community in Agaie LGA of the state at about 12:30 am on Sunday.

In a statement, Abdullahi Baba-Arab, director-general of Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), said the tanker was involved in a head-on collision with a trailer loaded with cattle.

Baba-Arab said two other vehicles, a crane truck and a pickup van were also caught in the explosion.

“NSEMA has received a report of a deadly tanker explosion that occurred on Sunday, the 8th of September, 2024, at about 12.30 am along Lapai-Agaie, 2km from Dendo Community in Agaie LGA,” the director-general said.

“The incident occurred when a petrol tanker loaded with PMS collided with a trailer truck loaded with travellers and cattle from Wudil in Kano State heading to Lagos, two other vehicles, a crane truck and a pickup van were also caught in the incident.

“Over 30 people are already confirmed dead, with over 50 cattle burnt alive. NSEMA’s Rapid Response Team (RRT), in conjunction with LGEMCs, is still on scene of the incident conducting search and rescue operations as more corpses are still trapped inside the trucks.”