President Bola Tinubu and his predecessor, former President Muhammadu Buhari, both commiserated with the families of those killed in a petrol tanker explosion in Niger State, condemning the practice of citizens scooping fuel at the scene of such accidents.

In separate statements issued through their spokespersons, both leaders condoled with the families of the victims of the Niger State tanker explosion that claimed at least 70 lives on Saturday.

They also condemned the dangerous practice of citizens rushing to petrol tanker accident scenes to scoop fuel.

Mr Tinubu “underscored the tragic and preventable nature of the incident, as many victims were those scooping Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from the overturned tanker,” while Mr Buhari “expressed disappointment that the practice of scooping up fuel is becoming more common in spite of warnings from the authorities, and the devastating losses of life that had characteristically attended such incidents.”

The tanker explosion at Dikko Junction in the Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State on Saturday claimed at least 70 lives, destroying other properties in the vicinity.