‘They tried to help’– man recounts how he lost nearly 50 family members to Jigawa tanker explosion

Mustapha Majiya, a farmer, has recounted how he lost nearly 50 members of his extended family to the Jigawa tanker explosion.

Majiya’s relatives were among the 181 casualties from the explosion that occurred last Tuesday.

The petrol-laden tanker crashed and burst into flames after the driver lost control at night.

Shi’isu Adam, the police spokesperson in Jigawa, said many of the victims were trying to scoop petrol from the vehicle after it tipped over.

The state police spokesperson had described the incident as “worrying” given past numerous warnings against crowds gathering at accident scenes involving petrol tankers.

Adam said the large assembly was the reason for the high casualty figures.

Majiya said his nephews tried to steer people away from the scene but were unlucky.

“My nephews, Nuradeen Rabiu, 16, and Dini Babalo, 17, were among those killed. They tried to stop people from getting too close to the tanker and scooping fuel before the explosion,” the farmer told the BBC.

“I just bought them books and new uniforms for the term,” Majiya said of his nephews who were both in their fourth year at the town’s secondary school.

The 50-year-old also said he lost Jamilu Maigaji, a long-time friend and father of 13 children, in the inferno.

“Some people were just onlookers and didn’t understand the dangers of being around the scene,” Majiya added.

The farmer said he accepts God’s will as the giver and taker of life.

On Tuesday, Umar Namadi, governor of Jigawa, told President Bola Tinubu that 80 people were hospitalised due to the incident.

Namadi said the state government has paid their bills.