- * Niger Gov, Umar Bago, Blames Victims For Allegedly Not Being Safety Conscious
By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
Several lives were lost while others sustained various degrees of fire burns when a Tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) exploded at Dikko junction, along the Kaduna-Abuja highway.
The fire incident which occurred early Saturday morning also led to the destruction of vehicles, shops and residential buildings along the busy Kaduna-Abuja expressway.
Eye witness account said the Tanker was trying to maneuver through the busy Dikko junction to avoid the bad portion of the road when it suddenly lost balance and fell by the road side and its content started leaking.
Not considering inherent consequences, the people soon gathered to catch a glimpse of the fallen Tanker, including those that already armed themselves with different sizes and shapes of containers to scoop the content when suddenly they heard loud boom and the entire area became dark with thick smoke that reduced visibility and made it impossible for most of the victims to escape to safety.
Meanwhile, the Governor of Niger state, Mohammed Umaru Bago has expressed shock over the explosion that claimed several lives at Dikko junction, along the Abuja-Kaduna expressway.
Governor Bago in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, describes the explosion as worrisome, heartbreaking and very unfortunate.
Governor Bago who however condemned the victims for not being safety conscious when they saw the Tanker fall expressed sympathy with their families and pray that Allah repose the souls of the departed and also grant quick recovery for the injured.
While directing that there be more visibility of security along the Abuja-Kaduna expressway, Gov Bago directed all relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to do what is necessary to protect further loss of lives and properties. NNL.
