The Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has expressed grief over the death and injury of over 50 persons in a fuel tanker explosion in Niger State, describing it as tragic and unfortunate.
The tanker reportedly fell along the Bida/Agaie highway on Tuesday afternoon.
The Niger State Police Command said some people around Essa village via Katcha went to the scene to scoop the spilled Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly called petrol, with a spark leading to an explosion.
The police said 48 persons were burnt, leaving 31 dead and 17 with varying degrees of injury.
Speaker Abbas said the incident is saddening and worrisome, describing it as painful. He lamented that the deaths were avoidable, while calling for more sensitisation of the public on safety and response to disasters.
The Speaker commiserated with the families of the victims, and extended his condolences to the people and the government of Niger State.
