A total of 48 people who lost their lives in a tragic petrol tanker explosion in Agaie Local Government Area of Niger State were given a mass burial. The explosion, which occurred around 12:30 am on Sunday along the Lapai-Agaie road, resulted from a head-on collision between a petrol tanker and a trailer carrying passengers and cattle.
Abdullahi Baba-Arab, the Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), confirmed that the death toll rose to 48 after further search and rescue operations revealed 18 additional bodies, in addition to the 30 initially reported.
The tragic incident also involved two other vehicles—a crane truck and a pickup van—and led to the death of more than 50 cattle. The state Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, expressed his sorrow over the significant loss of lives and property, urging residents to remain calm and road users to adhere to safety regulations.
The Governor also prayed for the souls of the deceased and wished a quick recovery to the injured. Search and rescue efforts by NSEMA’s Rapid Response Team (RRT) continue at the scene.
