The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has provided relief materials to victims of the tragic petrol tanker explosion at Dikko Junction, Niger State. The incident, which occurred on Saturday morning along Dikko-Maje Road, claimed 98 lives, injured 69 others, and destroyed 20 shops.
The explosion was triggered when a crashed tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) spilled its contents during a transfer attempt. The spilled fuel ignited after coming into contact with a generator powering the transfer.
NEMA’s Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, led the relief distribution, which included food, non-food items, and medical supplies, to support the affected families. She emphasized the Federal Government’s commitment, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive, to assist the community in recovery efforts.
Speaking during the distribution, Mrs. Umar expressed her sympathy and assured the community of continued support. She also urged communities to prioritize disaster preparedness and proactive measures to safeguard lives and property.
The event saw the presence of the Deputy Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Afiniki Daudu, who appreciated the Federal Government’s swift intervention. Other attendees included the Chairman of Gurara Local Government Area, Alhaji Abdulhalim Abubakar; Niger State SEMA Director General, Abdullahi Arah; and community leaders.
Mrs. Umar commended the quick response of first responders, including NEMA, Niger State SEMA, firefighters, medical personnel, and security agencies, for saving lives and mitigating further damage.
NEMA’s intervention is part of a coordinated effort to support the victims and rebuild the affected community.
Punch
