At least 170 people have been confirmed dead following a devastating tanker explosion in Jigawa State, which occurred on Tuesday.
Spokesperson for the State Police Command, DSP Lawan Adam, provided an update on Friday, stating that 70 others remained in critical condition across various hospitals.
In a statement, Adam said, “The death toll in the petrol tanker explosion in Majiya town, Taura LGA, has risen to 170.” The injured, he noted, were receiving intensive care at medical centers, including the Federal Medical Centre in Azare, Bauchi State, Nguru in Yobe State, and Birnin Kudu in Jigawa State.
Other hospitals, such as Hadejia General Hospital, Rasheed Shekoni Teaching Hospital, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, and Dala Orthopedic, were also tending to victims.
The tranquil community of Majia has been left in turmoil by the tragedy, which claimed numerous lives and injured scores of people.
The tanker, reportedly en route from Kano State, had overturned while trying to avoid a collision with another truck. The spilled petrol drew villagers eager to collect the leaking fuel, but the situation quickly turned catastrophic when the fuel ignited, triggering an explosion that has now claimed 153 lives and left over 100 others injured.
For those in Majia, the trauma of that night remains fresh. “I’m still in shock,” said Aisha Mohammed, a resident mourning her younger brother’s death. “My brother was just 25 years old, full of life and promise. His death is a devastating blow to our family.”
Malam Inuwa Abdullahi, another grieving parent, expressed the depth of his sorrow after losing his 17-year-old son, whom he described as the family’s “hope for the future.” Struggling with the gravity of his loss, Abdullahi added, “My son was everything to me. Now, he’s gone, leaving me with unbearable pain and sorrow.”
As the enormity of the tragedy became clear, friends and family of the victims flocked to the scene, desperately searching for missing loved ones.
Isah Abubakar, speaking through tears, recalled, “I was with my friend, Musa, just hours before the explosion. We had plans to start a business together. Now, he’s gone, and I’m left with only memories.”
For others, like Halima Umar, the loss remains difficult to process. “Fatima was more than just a sister; she was my best friend. Her death has left a void in my life that can never be filled,” she said, reflecting on the sudden death of her sibling.
While families grieve, many in the community have voiced concerns about the response to the disaster, citing a lack of emergency preparedness.
Alhaji Nura Usman expressed his frustration, saying, “If the authorities had acted faster, some lives might have been saved.”
Eyewitnesses, too, criticized the tanker driver for his actions. Ibrahim Sani, who witnessed the explosion, shared his perspective, “The driver was speeding, and he didn’t even stop when he lost control. If he had stopped, maybe the explosion wouldn’t have happened.”
Amidst the grief, residents like Hajiya Aminah, who lost her nephew, found solace in faith. “Allah knows best,” she said, expressing her belief in accepting the tragedy as God’s will. “We must accept His will and pray for the souls of the departed.”
In the aftermath of the explosion, calls for compensation and government assistance have grown louder.
Activist Yakubu Namama urged the government to step in, saying, “The government should provide assistance to the families of the victims.” However, for many grieving families, no amount of compensation can ease their pain. “What can compensate for the loss of a loved one?” Aisha Mohammed asked, her voice filled with emotion.
As Majia town begins to grapple with the tragedy, residents like Halima Dahiru vowed to honor the memories of those lost. “We will always remember our loved ones who left us too soon,” she said tearfully.
The explosion has overwhelmed hospitals across the region, particularly the Rasheed Shekoni Specialist Hospital in Dutse, which has been flooded with victims and concerned relatives.
Despite a hospital ban on visitors, the corridors remain crowded with anxious family members waiting for news of their loved ones.
At the hospital, relatives gathered, asking questions in hushed tones: “How is he?” “Has she survived?” Inside the emergency ward, doctors and nurses worked tirelessly, rushing between patients in critical condition. The air was filled with the sounds of beeping machines, urgent medical discussions, and the occasional cry of despair.
Despite the exhaustion on their faces, medical staff continued their lifesaving work with determination. A nurse, who appeared momentarily overwhelmed, took a brief pause before diving back into the demanding situation.
Efforts to interview the hospital staff proved unsuccessful, as they remained focused on the emergency at hand.
For the town of Majia, the pain of the tragedy is profound, and the road to recovery will be long. The memories of the tanker explosion and the lives lost will forever haunt the community.
