The death toll from the tragic tanker explosion in Jigawa State has climbed to 170, with 70 others still critically injured, according to the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Lawan Adam.
The explosion, which occurred in Majiya town, Taura Local Government Area on Tuesday, has left the community in deep mourning.
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The accident happened when a petrol tanker, traveling from Kano State, overturned while trying to avoid a collision with a truck, spilling fuel onto the road.
Villagers rushed to the scene to collect the leaking petrol, leading to a massive explosion that killed 153 people on the spot and left over 100 others with severe injuries.
DSP Adam confirmed that the critically injured are receiving treatment in several hospitals across Jigawa, Yobe, Kano, and Bauchi states, including Rasheed Shekoni Teaching Hospital, Hadejia General Hospital, and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital.
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Residents of Majiya are struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.
Aisha Mohammed, whose younger brother was among the victims, said, “My brother was just 25 years old. His death has devastated our family.”
Malam Inuwa Abdullahi, who lost his 17-year-old son, described his son’s death as a heartbreaking loss.
“He was my hope for the future,” he said.
The incident has left the town in shock, with families searching for their loved ones amid the aftermath.
Isah Abubakar, who lost his friend Musa in the explosion, shared his pain: “We had plans to start a business together, but now he’s gone.”
Residents have voiced concerns over the response time of emergency services, with some blaming authorities for not acting quickly enough.
Alhaji Nura Usman, a local resident, said, “If the authorities had responded faster, maybe more lives could have been saved.”
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There is also anger toward the tanker driver, who eyewitnesses say was speeding at the time of the accident.
Ibrahim Sani, a witness, said, “If the driver had stopped when he lost control, the explosion might not have happened.”
Amid the grief, some residents have found solace in their faith. Hajiya Aminah, who lost her nephew in the explosion, said, “We must accept Allah’s will and pray for the souls of the departed.”
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As families mourn their losses, attention has turned to compensation and support for those affected.
Activist Yakubu Namama urged the government to provide assistance, saying, “The families of the victims need help to cope with this tragedy.”
The Jigawa State Government has pledged support for the victims’ families, but for many, the loss remains immeasurable.
Aisha Mohammed, whose brother died in the explosion, said, “No amount of compensation can bring back our loved ones.”
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At Rasheed Shekoni Specialist Hospital in Dutse, where some of the injured victims are being treated, the emergency ward has been overwhelmed with visitors and sympathizers.
Despite the hospital’s restrictions on visitors, desperate family members crammed the corridors, anxiously waiting for news of their loved ones.
Inside the ward, medical staff worked tirelessly to save lives amid the chaos.
Doctors and nurses were seen rushing from one patient to another, their faces etched with exhaustion and determination.
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“We’re doing everything we can to help these patients,” said a nurse, who declined to be named.
The tanker explosion has left the people of Majiya with deep scars, and as the town begins its long journey toward healing, the memory of the tragedy will forever be etched in their minds.
