Peter Obi, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has expressed profound sorrow over the tragic tanker explosion in Niger State that claimed numerous lives and livelihoods. The devastating incident occurred early Sunday morning along the Lapai-Agaie road, approximately 2 kilometers from Dendo Community in Agaie Local Government Area (LGA).
The explosion, which happened around 12:30 am, resulted from a collision between a petrol tanker and a truck transporting passengers and cattle from Wudil in Kano State to Lagos. The impact caused a massive fireball, engulfing the truck, a crane truck, and a pickup van.
Initial reports indicate that the inferno claimed at least 48 lives and burnt over 50 cattle. The deceased were given a mass burial on the same day. The tragedy marks another devastating event, coming less than 24 hours after a similar explosion in Ibadan, Oyo State.
In his statement on X (formerly Twitter), Obi conveyed his deep distress over the catastrophe:
“I am deeply pained by the tragic loss of human lives and livelihoods caused by the tanker explosion in Agaie LGA, Niger State, where over 30 lives were lost, and 50 cattle perished. This calamity follows another recent tanker explosion in Ibadan, which also caused severe damage.”
Obi praised the swift response of safety and emergency agencies involved in the search and rescue operations. He extended his heartfelt condolences to the families affected by the disaster and to the governments and people of Niger and Oyo States.
“May God grant solace to the bereaved and healing to the injured. I pray for the eternal rest of those who lost their lives and swift recovery for those injured,” Obi added.
