‘Soul-crushing event’ — southern governors commiserate with Niger state over tanker explosion

The Southern Governors Forum has condoled with Umar Bago, the governor of Niger state, over the petrol tanker explosion in Gurara LGA of the state that killed 86 persons.

At least 86 people were confirmed dead, and 55 others were injured in a tanker explosion at Dikko junction in the LGA on Saturday morning.

In a statement on Sunday, Dapo Abiodun, governor of Ogun and chairman of the forum, extended condolences to the families of the victims and the government of Niger state.

Describing the accident as a “soul-crushing event,” the chairman of the forum expressed the solidarity of the people of southern Nigeria with the Niger state government.

He also urged state and federal agencies to intensify efforts in managing the aftermath of the incident and to provide any support Niger state may need.

Abiodun prayed for the repose of the souls of victims of the explosion and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

“To say that we in the Southern Governors Forum are terribly shocked by this devastating tragedy in which as many as 77 people lost their lives and no less than 25 others were grievously injured would be an understatement,” the statement reads.

“This is a soul-crushing event that has befallen Niger State, and we pray that Almighty Allah will comfort the families that lost their loved ones in the incident.

“We also hope that the security agencies will up their ante and enforce the directives given by His Excellency, Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, to ensure strict enforcement of traffic rules in the state, especially given that this was an entirely avoidable tragedy.

“It is also important to warn Nigerians to desist from the practice of scooping fuel from fallen tankers, as most of the victims of this tragedy were people who ran to the scene of the accident to scoop fuel.”