The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has launched an urgent relief effort to support victims of the devastating petrol tanker explosion at Dikko Junction in Niger State.
The tragic incident, which occurred on Saturday morning along the Dikko-Maje Road, claimed 98 lives, injured 69 people, and destroyed 20 shops.
According to reports, the disaster was caused by a crashed tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). During an attempt to transfer the fuel to another tanker, the spilled PMS ignited after coming into contact with a generator powering the transfer process, resulting in a catastrophic explosion.
In a statement on Tuesday, NEMA disclosed that food, non-food items, and medical supplies had been distributed to the affected community.
NEMA’s Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, visited the site of the disaster and officially commenced the relief distribution.
She emphasized that the agency’s intervention aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s directive and the Federal Government’s commitment to assisting the affected families in their recovery journey.
“Based on the report of the initial rapid assessment carried out by officials of NEMA, NSEMA, and other first responders, we are here to provide immediate assistance with food, non-food items, and medicaments to the affected families,” Mrs. Umar stated.
She extended her sympathies to the community and assured residents that NEMA would continue to coordinate efforts to support their recovery.
She also stressed the importance of disaster preparedness and proactive safety measures to prevent future tragedies.
The relief distribution was attended by prominent leaders, including the Deputy Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Afiniki Daudu, who lauded the Federal Government’s timely response.
The Chairman of Gurara Local Government Area, Alhaji Abdulhalim Abubakar, and the Director General of Niger State SEMA, Abdullahi Arah, were also present, alongside community leaders and other stakeholders.
Mrs. Umar commended the swift response of first responders, including NEMA, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, firefighters, the Federal Road Safety Corps, and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, as well as medical personnel, security operatives, and community members who worked tirelessly to save lives and mitigate further damage.
As the community begins to rebuild, the Federal Government’s intervention underscores the critical role of collaboration in disaster recovery efforts and the need for enhanced safety measures to protect lives and property.