The National Emergency Management Agency has donated food and medical items to victims of a fire explosion at Dikko Junction along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway in Niger.

NEMA director-general Zubaida Umar, who led a delegation to the crash scene on Monday, expressed deep sympathy for the victims and their families.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, along Dikko-Maje Road, opposite Baddegi Station.

A tanker loaded with petrol, after crashing, and in an attempt to transfer its contents to another tanker, an explosion occurred, triggering the fire that claimed about 98 lives, injured 69 persons, and destroyed 20 shops.

Most of the victims were burnt beyond recognition, and the injured persons were evacuated to hospitals for urgent medical attention.

Ms Umar condemned the poor handling of the spillage of tankers’ contents, stressing the recurrent tragedies associated with such risky behaviour.

She called for improved safety standards and preparedness while commending first responders for their swift action. The NEMA chief reiterated NEMA’s commitment to disaster recovery and long-term support in collaboration with state authorities and emergency responders.

Ms Umar added that the agency would continue to work closely with state officials and other emergency responders to provide long-term recovery needs to the victims.

NEMA’s Minna operation office chief Hussaini Isah said the incident occurred when residents attempted to collect fuel from an overturned tanker, triggering a massive fire.

Mr Isah said NEMA mobilised stakeholders, including local emergency services, to manage the aftermath. He noted the importance of preparedness and stakeholder collaboration to mitigate future disasters.

Abdullahi Arah, the director-general of the State Emergency Management Agency in Minna, urged citizens to avoid disaster sites and emphasised stricter safety regulations for fuel transport to prevent future tragedy.

Mr Arah said that emergency agencies coordinated mass burials for 80 victims of the fire incident,  while others were privately interred.

Afiniki Daudu, the deputy speaker of the Niger House of Assembly, expressed deep sorrow and frustration over the incident. Ms Daudu criticised members of the Gbagyi community for risking their lives by scooping fuel, a practice she described as uncharacteristic of their hardworking nature.

Ms Daudu urged local chiefs to monitor youth activities and ensure relief materials reach affected families. She insisted on accountability and warned against exploiting government aid, emphasising the need for unity and responsibility in the midst of grief.

(NAN)