A horrifying disaster unfolded in the early hours of Wednesday at Majiya village, Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State, as a petrol tanker explosion claimed the lives of over 95 people and left 50 others seriously injured. The victims had been scooping fuel from a tanker that crashed along the road, sparking a deadly inferno.
The tragic incident, confirmed by the Jigawa State Police Command, occurred at around 12:30am when a tanker transporting fuel from Port Harcourt to Nguru in Yobe State lost control and overturned. The spilled fuel flooded the village's gutters and drainages, luring residents to collect it — unaware of the impending catastrophe.
According to DSP Lawal Adams, the Police Public Relations Officer, what began as an attempt by the villagers to gather fuel from the fallen tanker quickly turned into a nightmare when the petrol ignited, setting off a massive fire that claimed dozens of lives in an instant.
"At about 12:30am, a petrol tanker fell at Majiya village. The fuel flooded gutters, and residents began scooping the petrol. Sadly, the situation turned tragic when the petrol caught fire," Adams confirmed.
In a grim update, he stated that 95 people were confirmed dead, while 50 others are currently battling severe injuries in nearby hospitals. Emergency services have been deployed to manage the aftermath of the disaster.
The police have urged residents to avoid such dangerous activities in the future, as similar incidents have led to multiple deaths in the past. Despite repeated warnings, the desperation of villagers to gather free fuel has once again led to tragic consequences.
