At least 30 people have died in a petrol tanker explosion along the Lapai-Agaie Road in the Agaie Local Government Area of Niger State.
The explosion, which occurred around 12:30 am on Sunday, also resulted in the deaths of more than 50 cattle that were burned alive.
Abdullahi Baba-Arab, Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Sunday.
He explained that the explosion occurred when a petrol tanker collided head-on with a trailer truck carrying travelers and cattle from Wudil, Kano State, en route to Lagos.
The collision also involved a crane truck and a pickup van. The NSEMA statement reads: “NSEMA has received a report of a deadly tanker explosion that occurred on Sunday, 8th September 2024, at about 12:30 am along Lapai-Agaie road, 2km from Dendo Community in Agaie LGA.
“The incident happened when a petrol tanker loaded with PMS collided with a trailer truck carrying travelers and cattle from Wudil, Kano State, heading to Lagos. Two other vehicles, a crane truck and a pickup van, were also involved.
“Over 30 people have already been confirmed dead, with more than 50 cattle burnt alive.”
The statement adds, “NSEMA’s Rapid Response Team (RRT), in conjunction with LGEMCs, is still at the scene conducting search and rescue operations, as more bodies remain trapped inside the vehicles.”
