The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the people of Jigawa State in the wake of the tragic tanker explosion that resulted in the loss of over 140 lives. This incident has profoundly affected the local community, and the IGP's message highlights the seriousness of the situation.
According to earlier reports from Gistreel, chaos erupted in the Majia community located in the Taura Local Government Area on Tuesday when a fuel tanker overturned, leading to a devastating explosion that shook the area. The incident occurred around 12:30 am on Wednesday, during which villagers were reportedly trying to scoop fuel from the fallen tanker when the explosion occurred, tragically resulting in numerous deaths and serious injuries among the residents.
Although the police in Jigawa stated on Wednesday that 90 individuals lost their lives in the incident, eyewitness accounts have indicated that more than 140 people were buried on Wednesday following the explosion, underscoring the scale of the tragedy and the discrepancies in casualty figures reported by different sources.
In response to this unfortunate event, the IGP issued a statement on Thursday through the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, urging motorists to consistently adhere to established safety guidelines in their daily activities. This call for caution aims to prevent future tragedies of this nature and to promote awareness of safety practices among the public.
Furthermore, the IGP commended the swift actions taken by police personnel and other emergency responders, praising their efforts in extinguishing the fire, evacuating victims, and working diligently to restore normalcy to the affected area. Their prompt response played a crucial role in managing the immediate aftermath of the disaster.
The IGP also offered prayers for the souls of those who have passed away in this tragic event, expressing his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families. He reassured the general public of ongoing robust sensitization programs aimed at educating communities about the hazardous effects of oil scooping and similar dangerous activities that can lead to such catastrophic incidents in the future.