The Federal Government has directed the immediate transfer of victims of the recent tanker explosion in Suleija to tertiary hospitals for better medical care.
This decision was announced by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during a visit to Suleija, Niger State, on Sunday.
Idris led a Federal Government delegation, including the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, to assess the situation and sympathize with the state over the tragedy, which occurred at Dikko Junction.
The explosion has claimed eight lives so far, with several others critically injured. President Bola Tinubu expressed sorrow over the incident and tasked federal agencies, including the Ministry of Health and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to evacuate the victims to intensive care units in advanced medical facilities, Channels TV reports.
The Minister praised the Niger State Government for its swift response and revealed that tanker explosions have claimed about 265 lives in the last five months.
A committee has been set up to investigate these recurring incidents and recommend measures to prevent them.
Idris highlighted past incidents, including one in September 2024 in Agaie, Niger State, where 48 lives were lost, and another in October 2024 in Jigawa State, which claimed 144 lives.
The National Orientation Agency will ramp up public awareness campaigns to warn citizens against scooping fuel from tanker accidents, a practice that has worsened such tragedies.
The delegation also visited the Emir of Suleija, victims in the Suleija General Hospital, and the explosion site. Other officials in the team included heads of media agencies like the Nigerian Television Authority and Voice of Nigeria.
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