FG Mourns 42 People Killed in Niger State Petrol Tanker Explosion

The Federal Government has directed the National Orientation Agency to intensify nationwide public awareness campaigns on the high risk of scooping petrol from a fallen petrol tanker involved in an accident. The Minister of Information, MOHAMMED IDRIS, confirmed the directive in a statement on a petrol tanker explosion that killed forty-two people in Niger State. The explosion occurred on Tuesday at Essa, in Katcha Local Government Area of the state, as some residents were scooping fuel from a petrol tanker that was involved in an accident. MOHAMMED IDRIS noted that the incident has once again brought to the fore the devastating human and material consequences of fuel tanker accidents in communities. IDRIS said the Federal Government joins the Government and people of Niger State in mourning the painful loss. He said the government is pained that despite sustained public sensitisation and repeated warnings about the dangers of scooping fuel from fallen tankers, some citizens still take such life-threatening risks. The Minister also noted that the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, had also been directed to complement ongoing efforts by the state government in providing relief and medical assistance to victims and their families.