News
Tragic Incident in Jigawa: 140 Victims of Tanker Explosion Laid to Rest, 90 Hospitalized
A mass burial ceremony has been held for 140 individuals who lost their lives in the petrol tanker explosion in Majiya town, located within the Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State, which occurred on Wednesday.
Currently, approximately 90 additional victims are receiving treatment in various hospitals across the state following this tragic incident.
The explosion took place around midnight on Tuesday when the driver of the tanker, en route from Kano to Nguru in Yobe State, lost control near Khadija University in Majiya. The tanker, having departed from Kano, exploded after overturning.
According to the police, the disaster was exacerbated by local residents who rushed to collect spilled petrol from the overturned tanker. “As residents were scooping fuel, the explosion ignited a massive fire, resulting in 94 immediate fatalities,” explained DSP Lawan Adam, the Police Public Relations Officer for Jigawa State.
The incident also left an additional 50 people with serious injuries, who were subsequently transported to Ringim and Hadejia General Hospitals for medical care. DSP Adam characterized the event as a “horrific tragedy,” urging the public to recognize the dangers of collecting fuel from accident scenes.
**Federal Government Orders Investigation**
In response to the tanker explosion, the Federal Government has instructed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident, which claimed over 100 lives in Jigawa State.
Minister of Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, expressed profound sorrow regarding the tragic event in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Nneamaka Okafor. The Minister extended condolences to the families and loved ones affected by the tragedy and emphasized the government’s commitment to a comprehensive inquiry.
The statement conveyed, “The Minister of Petroleum Resources has expressed deep regret over the petrol tanker explosion in Majiya Town, which resulted in significant loss of life and numerous injuries. Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured, and we wish them swift recoveries.”
Additionally, the Minister urged the public to refrain from approaching vehicles transporting petroleum products that have been involved in accidents, and he called upon transporters to ensure that only qualified drivers who adhere to safety regulations mandated by the Federal Road Safety Corps are employed.
**President Tinubu Calls for Review of Safety Protocols**
President Bola Tinubu has called for a thorough evaluation of fuel transportation safety measures across Nigeria in light of the tanker explosion in Jigawa State, which resulted in over 100 fatalities.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Vice President Kashim Shettima, on behalf of President Tinubu, conveyed condolences to the families affected by the tragedy and prayed for their strength during this difficult time. The statement, issued by presidential aide Stanley Nkwocha, also highlighted the immediate intervention by the federal government for the victims of the disaster.
Shettima expressed, “My heart aches for those who have lost family members in this disaster.” He emphasized the government’s commitment to mobilizing all necessary resources to support the injured and assist affected families.
The Vice President has also mandated the immediate deployment of personnel and resources from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to Jigawa State. He underscored the need for reflection on safety measures and public awareness to avert similar incidents in the future, stating, “Every life is precious, and we must do all we can to protect our citizens.”
Further, Shettima commended the efforts of first responders and medical personnel, noting that their dedication exemplifies the best of the nation’s spirit. He urged the council to establish National Road Safety Strategy targets and enhance coordination among federal, state, and local governments to meet shared road safety objectives.
In closing, Vice President Shettima emphasized the importance of road safety, asserting, “Road safety is not merely a matter of policy but a critical part of the lifeline that connects the people of this nation.”
The Commander of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Maj.-Gen. Folusho Oyinlola, has decried the influx of large number of cattle into Barkin Ladi Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State.
Oyinlola, who doubles as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Rukuba, near Jos, said this on Tuesday during an engagement with stakeholders in Barkin Ladi.
He noted that the influx of the cattle was constituting a major security threat to the locality and the state in general.
According to him, the isolated attacks, farm destruction, and other illegal activities are as a result of the unhealthy development.
“I must express the concerns of security agencies about recent developments in parts of Barkin Ladi.
“There is a growing unease about the influx of large number of cattle into farming communities.
“While the movement of livestock in Barkin Ladi and indeed Pateau in general is not unusual, the scale and timings of this new influx raise legitimate security concerns.
“Unfortunately, this development has already resulted in adverse outcomes, including farm destructions, isolated attacks, and attacks on livestock.
“The impact of this action on food security, economic stability, and social harmony cannot be over emphasised,” he said.
The commander, who also expressed deep concerns over the recent killings in the locality, called on the stakeholders to unite and fashion out ways to end the violence.
He, however, promised to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous crime, who would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
Oyinlola explained that the stakeholders’ engagement was aimed at ensuring a successful and peaceful farming season in the locality.
“The faming season is already ongoing, and for many families, this is a period for securing their livelihood.
“Therefore, any disruption of farming activities now will have dire consequences for the rest of the year and beyond.
“To this end, this engagement is convened to hear from you, all stakeholders, to listen to your concerns,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the meeting had in attendance heads of security agencies, government officials, traditional and religious leaders, among others.(NAN)
The Catholic Church’s cardinals issued an urgent appeal for peace on Tuesday, one day before they retreat into the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope.
In a joint statement, they called on all warring parties worldwide to “achieve a lasting ceasefire as soon as possible.”
The statement, released by the Vatican, said the cardinals note “with regret” that there has been no “progress in promoting peace processes in Ukraine, the Middle East and many other parts of the world.”
On the contrary, they said, attacks have intensified, especially against the civilian population.
The cardinals called for ceasefires “without preconditions and without further delay” in order to negotiate “the peace long desired by the affected populations and the whole world.”
They also appealed to believers, asking them to intensify their prayers for a just and lasting peace.
The statement was delivered during the General Congregation of the College of Cardinals, the last meeting of the cardinals before the start of the conclave.
Starting on Wednesday, eligible cardinals under the age of 80 are to vote to elect a successor to pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday at the age of 88.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says on Tuesday that more than 30-year difference in life expectancy between the richest and the poorest countries highlights global health inequities.
The global health body stated this in its ‘World Report on Social Determinants of Health Equity’ launched on Tuesday by its Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus.
The report revealed that where one was born could be the difference between living over three decades longer than someone else from a poorer country lacking safe housing, good educational opportunities and access to decent jobs.
According to the report, people in the country with the highest life expectancy will, on average, live for 33 years more than those born in the country with the lowest life expectancy.
It further revealed that lack of safe housing, good educational opportunities and access to decent jobs could be responsible for a reduction in life expectancy in both rich and poor countries alike.
“Our world is an unequal one. Where we are born, grow, live, work and age significantly influences our health and well-being,” said Ghebreyesus.
The report found that inequities in health were closely linked to degrees of social disadvantage and levels of discrimination.
“Health follows a social gradient whereby the more deprived the area in which people live, the lower their incomes are,” the UN global health agency said.
It stated that inequities’ were exacerbated in populations that face discrimination and marginalisation, such as Indigenous Peoples, who had lower life expectancies than their non-Indigenous counterparts.
According to the report, this is the case in both high and low-income countries.
The study was the first to be published since 2008 when the WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health released its final report.
The report laid out targets for 2040 for reducing gaps between and within countries in life expectancy, childhood and maternal mortality.
It showed that these targets were likely to be missed and in spite of a scarcity of data, there was sufficient evidence to show that health inequities were often widening.
“For example, children born in poorer countries are 13 times more likely to die before their fifth birthday than in wealthier countries.
“Moreover, modelling shows that the lives of nearly two million children annually could be saved by closing the gap and enhancing equity between the poorest and wealthiest sectors of the population within low- and-middle-income countries.”
Additionally, while maternal mortality declined by 40 per cent between the years 2000 and 2023, the majority of deaths, 94 per cent, still occurred in low and lower-middle-income countries.
WHO called for collective action to address economic inequality and invest in social infrastructure and universal public services.
The agency also recommended other steps, including overcoming structural discrimination and the determinants and impacts of conflicts, emergencies and forced migration. (NAN)