In the early hours of Sunday, a tragic tanker explosion occurred along the Lapai-Agaie road, approximately 2 kilometres from Dendo Community in the Agaie Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State.
The incident, which occurred around 12:30 am, involved a petrol tanker loaded with petrol that collided with a truck carrying passengers and cattle.
The collision severely damaged the trailer, which was travelling from Wudil in Kano State to Lagos and caused a sizable explosion.
Two other vehicles, a crane truck, and a pickup van, were also caught in the inferno, intensifying the devastation.
Initial reports indicate that more than 48 people lost their lives in the inferno, while over 50 cattle were burnt alive. The 48 bodies were given a mass burial on Sunday.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), in collaboration with Local Government Emergency Committees (LGEMCs), immediately dispatched a Rapid Response Team (RRT) to the scene. Rescue operations are ongoing as emergency responders continue to search for more victims, with several bodies still trapped inside the charred vehicles.
In a statement, the Director General of NSEMA, Abdullahi Baba-arah, assured the public that efforts were being made to manage the situation while expressing deep condolences to the families of those affected by the tragic event.
Meanwhile, Governor Umaru Bago has expressed sadness over the incident. Bago expressed his regret over the unfortunate incident in a statement by his chief press secretary, Bologi Ibrahim.
While commiserating with all those who suffered losses in the incident, the governor called for calm and enjoined road users to always be cautious and abide by road traffic regulations to safeguard lives and property.
The governor prayed that God would repose the souls of the departed and grant quick recovery to those injured.
