Fatimah Otunsanya
The Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, has announced a donation of ₦1 million to each family of the deceased victims and ₦500,000 to each of the injured survivors of the recent tanker explosion in Essa, Katcha Local Government Area.
Bago made the announcement on Thursday during a condolence visit to the affected community, where he conducted an on-the-spot assessment and met with local leaders and residents.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, on Thursday night.
It was earlier reported that the tragic incident occurred around 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday, when fire ignited and overpowered residents scooping petrol from a fallen tanker, along the Bida–Badegi–Agaie road.
Expressing deep sorrow over the incident, the governor prayed for the speedy recovery of those receiving treatment in hospitals in Bida and Abuja.
He also condemned the act of residents scooping fuel from fallen tankers, describing it as both dangerous and criminal.
“We came to commiserate with them over loss of lives and to also talk to their conscience.
“It is a terrible thing that a truck will fall and people of the community will carry containers to scoop fuel. It is theft and must be addressed as such, and we can’t encourage it,” he warned.