No fewer than 170 people don dey confirmed dead for the tanker explosion wey happen for Jigawa State on Tuesday. The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Lawan Adam, talk say 70 others still dey critically injured and dey receive intensive care for different hospitals.
The tanker, wey dey travel from Kano State, overturn on Tuesday while trying to avoid collision with one truck, and petrol spill onto the road. Many villagers rush to the scene to collect the leaking fuel, and this lead to massive explosion wey kill at least 153 people and injure over 100 others.
For residents of Majia, the memory of that fateful night go forever be etched in their minds. Aisha Mohammed, one resident wey lose her younger brother, talk say, “My brother was just 25 years old, full of life and promise. His death be devastating blow to our family.”
Malam Inuwa Abdullahi, one parent wey lose his 17-year-old son, say the deceased be his “hope for the future”. He add say, “My son be everything to me. Now, he’s gone, leaving me with unbearable pain and sorrow.”
Friends and family of the victims converge on the scene, searching for their loved ones amid the chaos. Isah Abubakar, who lose his friend Musa, talk say, “We had plans to start a business together. Now, he’s gone, and I’m left with only memories.”
Halima Umar, who lose her sister Fatima, say, “Fatima be more than just a sister; she be my best friend. We share everything. Her death leave a void in my life that can never be filled.”
Many residents express concerns about the lack of emergency preparedness and response. Alhaji Nura Usman say if the authorities had acted faster, some lives might have been saved. Others blame the tanker driver for reckless driving.
Ibrahim Sani, one eyewitness, talk say, “The driver be speeding, and he didn’t even stop when he lost control. If he had stopped, maybe the explosion wouldn’t have happened.”
Amidst the grief, some residents find solace in their faith. Hajiya Aminah, who lose her nephew, say, “Allah knows best. We must accept His will and pray for the souls of the departed.”
Concerns about compensation and support for affected families be growing. Yakubu Namama, one activist, say, “The government should provide assistance to the families of the victims.” The Jigawa State Government had pledge support for the affected families, but for many, it’s too little and too late.
Aisha Mohammed ask, her voice cracking with emotion, “What can compensate for the loss of a loved one?” As Majia town begin the long journey to recovery, residents will never forget the tragic incident.
One Halima Dahiru, while fighting back tears, say, “We will always remember our loved ones who left us too soon.”
The emergency ward of the Rasheed Shekoni Specialist Hospital in Dutse where some of the affected victims were hospitalized was overwhelmed with sympathisers despite the hospital authority’s ban on visitors. The tragic fuel tanker explosion had brought an influx of victims and sympathisers from varied places in the state.
