October 17, (THEWILL) – The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) says the Bureau has commenced investigation into the tragic petrol tanker explosion that occurred in Majia town, Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State, on Tuesday, October 16, 2024.
In an official statement issued on Thursday, the Bureau informed that the accident had claimed over 150 lives and leaving many severely injured.
According to reports, the incident happened around 11 pm on Tuesday, when a petrol tanker en route from Kano to Nguru in Yobe State, lost control and crashed, spilling its content.
As residents gathered to scoop the fuel, the tanker exploded, resulting in a massive inferno.
In the statement signed by the Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, NSIB, Mrs Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, the agency stated that “in line with our mandate to investigate accidents across all transportation sectors, the NSIB has deployed a go-team of experts to investigate the accident. The team will assess the circumstances surrounding the crash and the explosion to identify causal factors and provide safety recommendations, aimed at preventing future occurrences.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families affected by this devastating accident. The NSIB is committed to uncovering the cause of the explosion and ensuring that safety lessons are learned”, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., Director General of the NSIB said.
The Bureau further hinted that “further updates on the investigation will be communicated as the NSIB team gathers and analyses evidence from the scene. In the meantime, citizens are reminded of the grave danger posed by scooping fuel from tanker accidents and are urged to avoid such scenes.”
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
