‎31 killed in Niger tanker explosion

‎Thirty-one people have died following a tanker explosion in Niger State.
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‎It was learnt that the incident happened at about 2.40 p.m. on Monday, October 21, when the tanker fell on its side in a lone accident.
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‎The Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, in a statement on Tuesday, disclosed that following the accident, some residents had gone to the scene to scoop the spilt petrol.
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‎He noted that while the residents were scooping the spilt content, fire engulfed the tanker.
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‎Abiodun stated, “Today, October 21, 2025, at about 2.40 p.m., a report was received from the DPO of Katcha Division that there was a lone tanker vehicle accident along the Bida/Agaie highway, and as a result, the tanker conveying PMS fell by the roadside.
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‎“Unfortunately, members of the public living around Essa village via Katcha rushed to the scene and were scooping PMS, and in the process, the tanker was suddenly engulfed in an inferno.”
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‎He noted that out of the 48 victims affected by the fire, 31 people lost their lives at the spot of the incident, while 17 others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
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‎“Sadly, forty-eight persons were affected by the fire, and among these victims, thirty-one persons lost their lives, while others are still receiving treatment in various nearby hospitals. Three motorcycles were also burnt.
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‎“Teams of Policemen and other security agencies were moved to the scene for a rescue operation. Further investigation is ongoing to identify the driver and the owner of the said tanker,” Abiodun concluded